Professor Paul Lepper is a physicist and engineer who has specialised in underwater acoustics and bioacoustics for more than three decades.

His research spans the measurement and characterisation of underwater noise sources arising from offshore operations including marine renewables (wind, wave and tidal), oil and gas (exploration and production), shipping, aquaculture, UXO clearance and defence. He also studies the hearing and behavioural response of marine mammals and fish, focusing on the impact of human noise on marine fauna.

He has published over 60 journal articles and book chapters as well as in excess of 250 conference papers and technical reports, including multiple industry leading best-practice guides.

Since spring 2026, he has held a joint appointment with Loughborough University and the UK’s National Physical Laboratory (NPL) in Teddington. He was Vice-President (International) and a Member of Council for the Institute of Acoustics (UK) for six years (2018-24), and served as General Secretary of the European Acoustics Association (EAA) from 2019-22.

He leads a multi-disciplinary research group in the areas of acoustics and vibration measurement as well as marine system and marine UAV (drone) operations. He also leads the technical operation of the University’s underwater tank facility.