Professor Dr. Stephen Birkett

Biography

Stephen Birkett is an Associate Professor in the Department of Systems Design Engineering at the University of Waterloo. His research interests include piano design, organology, physical systems, animal growth modeling, and environmental systems. He has conducted extensive research on the early iron process used in the production of draw wire pianos and has worked on high-speed imaging of fortepiano actions. Over the past decade, Birkett has thoroughly researched and developed the P-wire, which is set to enter commercial production. His contributions to the field are significant, particularly in the areas of mechanical modeling and simulation related to piano dynamics. Birkett has published multiple papers on topics such as the mechanistic multibody model of vertical piano actions and experimental investigations into piano hammer-string interactions. He received his Doctorate (PhD) from the University of Waterloo in 1990, a Master's (MASc) from the same institution in 1986, and a Bachelor's (BSc) from King's College, University of London in 1976.

Research Interests

Courses