Dr Francesco Restuccia
Dr Francesco Restuccia
Reader (Associate Professor) · King's College London

Reader in the Department of Engineering at King's College London, where he leads research at the intersection of thermal sciences, energy, and fire safety. His research focuses on transient heat transfer in electrochemical energy storage, vehicle waste-heat recovery, wildfire dynamics, and safety challenges in low-carbon energy systems — particularly ignition mechanisms and fire spread. His work is supported by major funders, including the European Research Council (ERC Starting Grant, FIREMOD) and the Faraday Institution (SAFEBATT project). Beyond teaching and research, he serves as Deputy Head of Department of Engineering (Enterprise and Engagement Lead).

Positions

2025 – Present Reader (Associate Professor), Department of Engineering, King's College London, UK.
2023 – 2025 Senior Lecturer (Associate Professor), Department of Engineering, King's College London, UK.
2019 – 2023 Lecturer (Assistant Professor), Department of Engineering, King's College London, UK.
2020 – 2026 Honorary Lecturer, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, UK.
2017 – 2019 Research Associate, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, UK.

Education

2014 – 2018 PhD in Mechanical Engineering · Imperial College London, UK.
2012 – 2014 MS in Mechanical Engineering · California Institute of Technology, USA.
2007 – 2012 MEng in Electrical and Mechanical Engineering · University of Edinburgh, UK.

Awards & Recognitions

2025 Winner of the King's Education Award — Innovation in Teaching. King's College London.
2025 Winner of the NMES Faculty Education Award — Innovation in Education. King's College London.
2023 Editors' Choice for Best Papers 2023. Fire Technology.
2021 Shortlisted for KCL King's Education Rising Star Award (Finalist). King's College London.
2020 COVID-19 Response ICL Department of Mechanical Engineering Silver Award. Imperial College London.
2020 Jack Watts Award for Outstanding Reviewer. Fire Technology.
2019 Imperial College Union Student Academic Choice Awards (SACA) for Student Wellbeing Champion. Imperial College London.
2019 Best Thesis Award "Excellence in Research", Honourable mention. International Association for Fire Safety Science.
2016 Sugden Award for the most significant UK contribution to combustion research. Combustion Institute, British Section.