Prof. Steven Barrett

Professor Barrett is director of the MIT Laboratory for Aviation and the Environment and is also a Visiting Professor at Seoul National University's Mechanical Engineering Department. Before joining MIT in 2010 Barrett was a faculty member at Cambridge University's Engineering Department, where he completed his undergraduate and graduate degrees in aerospace engineering.

The aim of Barrett’s research is to help aviation achieve zero environmental impacts. This includes developing low emissions and noise propulsion technologies for aircraft, improving scientific understanding of the atmospheric impacts of aircraft pollution, advancing approaches for contrail avoidance, and evaluating the sustainability of biofuels and electric aircraft. Steven also has research interests in ground vehicle electrification, novel propulsion technologies for future aerospace vehicles, and broader climate change and air pollution topics. His work spans fundamental technology development through to environmental policy assessment.

Professor Barrett has written over 100 journal publications and is current or former supervisor of about 75 graduate theses. Steven’s teaching at MIT includes the undergraduate jet and rocket propulsion course, a graduate-level course on aerospace, energy, and the environment, and a graduate-level course on advanced propulsion concepts. He has contributed to STEM outreach activities since 2003.

NOTE: Steven Barrett is now Regius Professor of Engineering at Cambridge University.