After a first degree in mathematics at Cambridge, Jim Woodhouse did a PhD on the acoustics of the violin, in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physicsat Cambridge (this work being inspired by a hobby interest in building instruments). He then worked for the engineering consultancy firm Topexpress for a few years, on a variety of problems in structural vibration, before joining the Engineering Department of the University in 1985. His research interests all involve vibration, and musical instruments have continued to form a major part.
