Breathalyser for disease wins MacRobert Award - Royal Academy of Engineering
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Breathalyser for
disease wins Mishal Husain, news anchor and broadcaster, hosted the
MacRobert Award ceremony at which a number of other Academy awards were
presented. The Major Project Award was presented to the
Owlstone Medical was announced as the winner of the team behind the Ordsall Chord, a new railway line connecting
MacRobert Award 2018, the UK’s longest running and most Manchester’s Piccadilly and Victoria stations for the first time.
prestigious prize for UK engineering innovation.The prize was HRH The Duke of Kent presented Lucien Bronicki, from Ormat
announced at the Academy’s annual Awards Dinner on 27 June Industries Ltd, with the Prince Philip Medal for his contribution
at the Tower of London. to cost-effective power recovery by successfully developing
power plants using organic fluids.
Owlstone Medical was honoured with a gold medal and the
team members shared a cash prize of £50,000. First presented The Silver Medals, which recognise outstanding personal
in 1969, the MacRobert Award identifies outstanding contributions to engineering in the early stage of awardees’
engineering innovation with proven commercial success and careers, were presented to: Dr Jade Alglave, Reader in Computer
tangible social benefit. Science at University College London; Dr Iain Scott, Capability
Manager at Leonardo; and Professor Chris Sutcliffe, Professor
HRH The Princess Royal and Academy President Professor of Additive Manufacturing at the University of Liverpool and
Dame Ann Dowling OM DBE FREng FRS presented the prize to Research and Development Director at Renishaw.
the winning team: Billy Boyle, Co-Founder and CEO; David Ruiz-
Alonso, Co-Founder and COO; Max Allsworth, Chief Scientific The RAEng Engineers Trust Young Engineers of the Year awards,
Officer; Alastair Taylor, VP of Engineering; and Matthew Hart, established with the generous support of The Worshipful
VP of Research and Development. Company of Engineers, were presented to Khouloud El Hakim,
Project Manager at Bechtel Ltd; Simon Bowcock, Lead Materials
Owlstone Medical has developed a non-invasive procedure and Corrosion Engineer at BP; Dr Christopher Donaghy-Spargo,
that aims to quickly and painlessly identify a range of diseases Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering at Durham
through a simple breathalyser test. The Breath Biopsy platform University; Dr Robert Hoye, Junior Research Fellow at the
has the potential to save hundreds of thousands of lives and University of Cambridge; and Chetan Kotur, Executive Assistant
$1.5 billion in healthcare costs globally. to the CEO at Polestar. Khouloud El Hakim also won the Sir George
Macfarlane Medal for demonstrating outstanding excellence in
Finalists Oxford Space Systems and Williams Advanced Engineering the early stage of her career for her work on Crossrail.
and Aerofoil were presented with a certificate recognising their
successful development of innovative ideas in UK engineering. The Academy’s Awards Dinner was supported by BAE Systems,
BP, Jaguar Land Rover, Lockheed Martin and Rolls-Royce. The
Dr Dame Sue Ion DBE FREng FRS, Chair of the MacRobert MacRobert Award is supported by The Worshipful Company
Award judging panel, said "Owlstone Medical stood out of Engineers. More information on all of the winners can be
because of the extraordinary engineering its breath sampler, found at www.raeng.org.uk/news
and the associated Breath Biopsy platform, required to bring
these technologies to life. The company has demonstrated The Owlstone Medical team was presented with the MacRobert Award 2018 by
exceptional innovation at every stage of development." HRH The Princess Royal and Academy President Dame Ann Dowling
Newsletter
President’s column 2 Academy roundup 14
Public engagement 4 News of Fellows 14
Summer 2018
Thought leadership 6 HM The Queen's Birthday Honours 16
Research and innovation 9 Obituaries 16
Education and skills 12
1
President's impact on society, both nationally and Investment in the future of engineering
column internationally. was also the theme of a talk I gave to
another important group of partners
At the end of May, I visited Beijing and stakeholders at the Engineering
to be formally admitted as a foreign Professors’ Council (EPC) annual
member of the Chinese Academy of congress. Titled Fit for the Future, the
Engineering (CAE), in recognition of the event looked at different approaches
fruitful collaboration between our two to teaching, research and industry
national academies. While in Beijing, input in preparing graduates with the
Professor Zhou Ji, President of the CAE, right skills to be effective engineers.
and I signed a renewed Memorandum In my speech, I discussed the This is
of Understanding to continue our joint Engineering campaign and encouraged
commitment to promoting social and engineering educators to use the
economic development and tackling videos in their outreach work. The
international engineering issues. I also more people who use them, the more
Dame Ann Dowling and President Zhou Ji sign the used my time in the country to meet our messages will resonate, changing
Memorandum of Understanding
with the UK Ambassador to China, Her perceptions and demonstrating the
As always, the recent Awards Dinner Excellency Dame Barbara Woodward, to breadth of engineering to prompt more
was a highlight in the Academy’s events discuss the Academy’s work with CAE, young people to take up engineering. At
calendar. The talent and innovation Chinese universities and businesses, and the congress, I also shared the Career
shown by the engineers who are wider UK research and innovation policy. Framework for University Teaching,
recognised and rewarded at the event developed by the Academy to promote
never fails to impress me, and I would The induction into CAE followed an recognition of excellent and highly
like to congratulate all our award winners opening speech by President Xi Jinping, effective teaching in higher education. It
and finalists. The Awards Dinner is President of the People’s Republic of has been trialled in 12 universities around
also an excellent opportunity to meet China, in which he spoke about how the world, but could benefit many more,
with many of our Fellows, something science, technology and innovation are particularly as government calls upon
that I have been able to do on several central to social and economic progress, universities to demonstrate how they
occasions over the past few months. and highlighted the importance of global value teaching.
Many Scotland-based Fellows attended collaboration.
the Academy’s joint lecture with the Royal From celebrating our Founding Fellows
Society of Edinburgh. This interesting Collaboration across borders was also to attracting the next generation into
lecture saw Naeem Hussain from Arup something that Theresa May focused engineering, I am in no doubt of the
discuss the engineering behind the on in her speech at Jodrell Bank in May, excitement, opportunity and impact that
Queensferry Crossing, a practical example recognising the value that the UK derives engineering affords.
of engineering at its best, on which he from EU programme collaborations. I
was a lead designer. In a first for the welcomed the government’s ambition,
Academy, we also recently held a lunch highlighted in her speech, to continue a
for our Fellows who are over 90 years deep research and innovation partnership
old, a group that represents a wealth with the EU. I was also pleased to hear
of knowledge, skills and achievement. that the Prime Minister personally Meetings and visitors
I was delighted that three Founding backed UK science and engineering, In her capacity as President,
Fellows were in attendance, Professor particularly emerging technologies, as Dame Ann has met with:
John Caldwell OBE FREng, Professor part of the industrial strategy. This sort of Harriett Baldwin MP
John Davidson FREng FRS and Professor commitment is vital to creating a culture of Royal Swedish Academy of Engineering
Sciences
Samuel Eilon FREng, and was fascinated confidence among Britain’s world-leading
High level stakeholder group Brexit
to hear their stories of the Academy’s researchers and engineers and providing meeting
early days. sustained support for innovation-led Department for Business, Energy and
companies that boost the economy and Industrial Strategy board meeting
When the Fellowship was formed, it provide well-paid and rewarding jobs. and high level group
comprised of 136 engineers. Now there She attended the following events
are almost 1,600 of us. That growth As a delivery partner in the government’s and meetings:
in numbers means that we have also Investment in Research Talent Science Museum Annual Dinner
grown our capacity to deliver on our programme, I am delighted that the Received the EPC President’s Prize at
ambitious objectives and have a lasting Academy has secured funding that will Harper Adams University
impact. As our Fellowship has grown, enable us to significantly expand the Spoke at the Academy/Royal Society of
so too has the number of partners number of early-career Research Fellows Edinburgh Joint Lecture, Edinburgh
we work with. Partnership working and Enterprise Fellows we support, Gave the introductory speech at the
underpins much of the Academy’s further strengthening our commitment to Patrick Vallance lecture
activities, through which we convene supporting academic engagement with EngineeringUK/Academy Joint Steering
engineers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, industry. It will also fund 25 new Chairs Group
business leaders, academics and in Emerging Technologies over the next Engineering Council AGM and
others to advance engineering’s three years. President’s Reception
2 President's column
Winner of the Africa Prize announced
On 13 June, Brian Gitta, inventor of Matibabu, was announced as
the winner of the Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation, at an
event in Nairobi, Kenya.
Matibabu tests for malaria quickly, accurately and without
drawing blood. It is a low-cost, reusable device that clips onto a
patient’s finger and requires no expertise to operate. A red beam
of light is shone through the user’s finger, and detects changes
in the shape, colour and concentration of red blood cells, all of
which are affected by malaria. Within one minute, the results are
available on a mobile phone that is linked to the device. Matibabu
is aimed at individuals, health centres and diagnostic suppliers.
Brian Gitta with Africa Prize judge Rebecca Enonchong, who described his
“We are very proud of this year’s winner. It’s a perfect example invention as "simply a gamechanger"
of how engineering can unlock development – in this case by
improving healthcare,” said Rebecca Enonchong, Africa Prize judge. all petrol and diesel vehicles. Electronics engineer Ifediora
Ugochukwu developed iMeter, which helps prevent tampering
Through its participation in the Africa Prize, the Matibabu with electricity meters and gives consumers more transparency
team has been approached by international researchers and control over their energy use. Mechanical engineer Michael
offering support. Brian and his team are currently writing up Asante-Afrifa developed Science Set, a textbook-sized science
their groundbreaking findings into an academic paper, to be lab that contains specially developed materials needed for
published within the next few months. science activities and experiments.
In Nairobi, the four finalists, from Ghana, Nigeria, Uganda and The Africa Prize provides a package of support that includes
Zimbabwe, pitched their innovations to a panel of judges and funding, comprehensive business training, bespoke mentoring,
a live audience. The finalists were selected from a pool of and access to the Academy’s network of high-profile,
16 shortlisted candidates, who all received tailored business experienced engineers and experts and their networks.
mentorship. Brian Gitta won the first prize of £25,000, while
three runners-up won £10,000 each. Applications for the fifth Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation
are now open. Individuals and small teams living and working
The three runners-up included chemical engineer Collins in sub-Saharan Africa who have an engineering innovation are
Saguru, who developed AltMet, a process that recovers the invited to enter. The deadline for entries is 23 July 2018. More
precious metals found in the autocatalytic converters of information is available at www.raeng.org.uk/africaprize
Ten new Chairs in • Dr Timothy Denison, University to create new semiconductor
Emerging Technologies of Oxford, is translating therapeutic heterostructure-based photonic devices.
bioelectronic systems from the lab to
The Academy recently announced 10 new industry, initially focusing on diseases • Professor Sriram Subramanian,
Chairs in Emerging Technologies. The that affect the central nervous system. University of Sussex, is developing
scheme supports researchers to develop engineering solutions for the new
technologies that have the potential to • Professor Colin McInnes MBE FREng metamaterials sound manipulation
bring significant economic and societal FRSE, University of Glasgow, is working market that will benefit society and the
benefits to the UK (for more information, with the space industry to deliver economy.
please see the article in the spring entirely new satellite applications for
newsletter). the future. • Professor Ana Cavalcanti, University
of York, is establishing safe software
The newly appointed chairs and their • Professor Alessio Lomuscio, Imperial development for robotic systems,
areas of research are as follows: College London, is developing secure, including modelling, validation,
reliable and trustworthy artificial simulation and testing.
• Professor Susan Rosser, University intelligence (AI) algorithms and devices
of Edinburgh, aims to make drug for all users. • Professor Jason Reese FREng FRSE,
development more cost-effective by University of Edinburgh, is creating
creating new platforms for simple and • Professor Paul Shearing, UCL, is a platform technology in multiscale
fast in-vitro screening tests. improving the cost, performance and industrial design that will enable users
durability of new battery materials to to deliver a variety of revolutionary
• Professor Jonathan Rossiter, accelerate their commercialisation. technologies.
University of Bristol, is developing
high-performance smart materials and • Professor Brian Gerardot, Heriot- For more information on the Chairs and
mechanisms to create versatile and Watt University, is engineering the their research, visit www.raeng.org.uk/
resilient actuators and artificial muscles. physical properties of 2D crystals emerging-technologies
3
Public
engagement
Robot Orchestra
In March, 200 pupils from primary schools across London visited
the Academy to see the award-winning Robot Orchestra led by
Professor Danielle George MBE, Professor of Radio Frequency
Engineering at the University of Manchester.
The Robot Orchestra project encouraged pupils aged from seven
upwards to learn computer coding and how to recycle household
materials to make robot instruments that could be linked up
to a robotic conductor to play in unison. At its peak, the Robot
Orchestra was made up of around 50 robots built from junk. Primary school pupils made musical instruments from fruit and vegetables
as part of the Robot Orchestra show
Professor George said: “This was the last performance in the
tour for the Robot Orchestra and it’s been great to perform at humans and machines can work together in the future.”
the Academy and show children how creative engineering is. I
hope we’ve shown people that tinkering with junk can be fun After the show, there was an exhibition where the students met
and also result in genuine discoveries that enable us to make teams from Raspberry Pi, VEX Robotics and Marty the Robot.
useful gadgets. We have been on a real voyage of adventure They could code a Nerf shooter to hit a target with Raspberry Pi,
with the orchestra project and learnt a lot about the way that and build and drive their own VEX robot.
Ingenia live! Abbie Hutty, Platform Delivery Manager includes four different methods of
presents space at Airbus Defence and Space, gave an removal, including a parachute to pull junk
engaging and fun presentation about into the Earth’s atmosphere.
the Mars Rover project, explaining the
ideas behind the design and some of the The RemoveDEBRIS project also
challenges that the Mars Rover team contains a harpoon component that
faced. was designed by Oxford Space Systems,
where the final speaker, Shefali Sharma,
Professor Guglielmo Aglietti, Academy works in business development. Shefali
Research Chair and Director of Surrey discussed the space industry from a
Space Centre, spoke about the SME perspective, and emphasised that
RemoveDEBRIS project, which sent a students do not always need to have a
prototype to the International Space specific engineering degree to get into
Station in early April. Since human space the industry.
Anita Bernie speaks to an attendee during the exploration began, significant amounts
networking reception of junk has been left in space. The The event finished with a lively discussion
project aims to test different methods of in both the Q&A session and networking
On 23 April, Ingenia live! returned to the removing space junk and the prototype reception.
Academy with a space-themed evening,
To Mars and beyond: engineering our
future in space.
The event, chaired by Ingenia 's Editor-
in-Chief Dr Scott Steedman CBE FREng,
included four specialist speakers with
different areas of expertise in the space
industry. The event had an audience
of students, Fellows and industry
professionals.
Anita Bernie, Director of Exploration
Missions and Institutional Relations,
Surrey Satellite Technology Limited,
described the company’s evolution over
the last 30 years and its plans for the next Ingenia live! speakers (L-R): Professor Guglielmo Aglietti, Anita Bernie, Abbie Hutty and Shefali Sharma with
30 years of space technology. Dr Scott Steedman CBE FREng (centre)
4 Public engagement
This is Engineering
campaign works with
Manchester students
In March, students from Manchester
schools took part in an event that gave
students the opportunity to work with
engineers from industries that are not
usually associated with engineering.
As part of the This is Engineering
campaign, the Academy brought together
63 students, aged 13 to 16, from schools
around Manchester. They took part in
several engineering challenges set by
A team of students demonstrate the Easter egg box they designed in a challenge to reduce waste
the engineers behind special effects in
packaging
films such as Guardians of the Galaxy,
Glastonbury’s giant fire-breathing spider, that they may not have known about in into engineering careers, which will be
famous chocolate, jelly sweets and TV, film, and food. published and presented at an event at
chewing gum. the House of Commons in early July.
As well as taking part in challenges run
The campaign aims to show students by the engineers, the students were Dr Rhys Morgan, Director of Engineering
that they can follow what they love asked about what could be done to and Education at the Academy, said “We
into engineering, so the Academy encourage more young people like them want to challenge students to consider
worked with engineers in industries not to consider engineering careers. Their how their interests now could become
usually associated with the profession recommendations ranged from offering their career of tomorrow... they might
to challenge perceptions of what work experience or insights into work to not know that engineers are vital to
an engineer is and does and make it all students at an earlier age, to having a whole range of things from making
relevant to teenagers’ existing interests. more information about vocational chocolate Easter eggs to special effects in
The North West has strong nuclear, education. This feedback will form Hollywood blockbusters.”
automotive and aerospace industries, part of a series of recommendations to
but at the event students had the government about how to address the For more information, visit
opportunity to explore engineering roles challenge of getting more young people www.thisisengineering.org.uk
Royal Academy of
Engineering and Royal
Society of Edinburgh joint
lecture
On 1 May, Naeem Hussain, Arup’s Global
Bridge Design Practice Leader and lead
designer of Scotland’s newest bridge,
the Queensferry Crossing, delivered the
joint Royal Society of Edinburgh/Royal
Academy of Engineering public lecture in
Edinburgh.
Naeem Hussain’s lecture described
the evolution and development of the The speakers in front of the Queensferry Crossing, with the Forth bridges in the background
Queensferry Crossing design, which
was driven by engineering, operational heralds a new generation of bridge- Scotland-based engineers and members
and aesthetic requirements. Arup, in building technology. It has resulted in of the public.
a joint venture with Jacobs, worked a bridge with three slim mono towers
with Transport Scotland to develop that complement the existing three The lecture was followed by a Q&A
and manage the Queensferry Crossing cantilevers of the Forth Bridge and the session hosted by the Academy’s
project, which is the longest triple tower road bridge’s two towers. President Dame Ann Dowling, and
cable-stayed bridge in the world (read Naeem was joined on stage by David
all about it in issue 71 of Ingenia: ‘World The event marked the 25th anniversary Climie OBE, Transport Scotland’s Project
record-breaking bridge’). Using crossed of the public lecture, which the two Director, and Michael Martin, Forth
cables in the middle of the bridge spans, academies host annually. Over 200 Crossing Bridge Constructors Project
a world first at this scale, the crossing guests attended, including Fellows, Director.
Public engagement 5
Cheltenham Science Festival
The Academy sponsored two events at this year’s Cheltenham
Science Festival, which took place from 5 to 10 June.
On 6 June, materials engineer Professor Mark Miodownik MBE
FREng gave a talk about the plastics problem with designer
Sophie Thomas, Dr Sally Beken from Innovate UK and Recycling
Technologies’ Adrian Griffiths. Around 300 million tonnes of
plastic are produced globally each year, of which only 15%
is recycled. The talk explored how the public, government,
engineers and businesses could work together to find a solution
Professor Mark Miodownik MBE explored the plastics problem with a panel of
to the problem of plastic waste.
experts
Roma Agrawal MBE, 2017 winner of the Academy’s Rooke The festival had a record 45,000 people attend, including 6,474
Award for public promotion of engineering, explored the school pupils. It had a packed programme of events, including
history of sewers, how the Romans built giant toilets, London’s the Makershack, which aimed to inspire attendees through
‘Great Stink’, and the new engineering projects that are engineering, hands-on experiments, a women in STEM photo
keeping water safe and clean. installation and a cyber trail.
East Midlands with her talk on Cutting crime: the role associated with cutting or stabbing can
Regional Lecture of forensic engineering science at the prove vital both during investigations and
University of Lincoln. when cases come to court.
On 17 April, Professor Sarah Hainsworth Professor Hainsworth explained The lecture was followed by a dinner
FREng, Pro-Vice Chancellor and Executive how advanced scanning techniques for Academy Fellows and their guests,
Dean of the School of Engineering and can be used to identify weapons hosted by Libby John, Pro-Vice Chancellor
Applied Science at Aston University, gave in dismemberment cases and why and Head of the College of Science at the
the first in the series of regional lectures, understanding the engineering factors University of Lincoln.
realising the potential of a trusted D&I in engineering
Thought smart world. The response reflected employment survey 2018
the urgent need to address risks
leadership associated with consumer Internet of This summer, the Academy is running a
Things devices and for government and survey looking at diversity and inclusion
industry to work together to improve the (D&I) across engineering employers.
Parliamentary inquiry cyber safety and resilience of consumer
responses products, as well as their ability to The survey will track progress since
preserve privacy. the first survey, which was carried out
The Academy has responded to several in 2015 by the Diversity and Inclusion
Parliamentary inquiries over the last In May, a response was submitted to Leadership Group of around 40
quarter. the House of Lords Communications engineering employers and employer-led
Committee on The Internet: to regulate organisations.
In March, the House of Commons Science or not to regulate?, which highlighted
and Technology Select Committee key challenges in evolving technologies, The survey will provide a comprehensive
conducted an inquiry on quantum adaptive regulation, and key values that view of D&I across engineering and will
technologies. The Academy’s response underpin their development, such as be used to influence the Academy’s D&I
highlighted the UK opportunities for openness, accessibility and universality. strategy in the future.
industrial, academic and government
collaboration in the field. Professor Sir A response was submitted to the It will be conducted on behalf of the
Michael Pepper FREng FRS has since House of Lords Science and Technology Academy by Sagacity Research and will
provided oral evidence on this inquiry. Committee on Off-site manufacturing cover 400 engineering employers across
for construction. It dealt with a variety of all sectors of engineering.
In April, a response was submitted to issues such as the benefits from reduced
the Department for Digital, Culture, costs and increased productivity and For more information about the survey,
Media and Sport’s Secure by Design potential barriers like investment and please contact
report. The response drew on two skills. diversityteam@raeng.org.uk
recent Academy policy reports: Cyber
safety and resilience: strengthening the The Academy is grateful for all the To see the results of the 2015 survey, visit
digital systems that support the modern contributions made by Fellows to these www.raeng.org.uk/DIsurveyreport
economy, and Internet of Things: inquiry responses.
6 Thought leadership
International Women Up to 80 delegates discussed how the was delivered by Roma Agrawal MBE,
in Engineering Day barriers to career progression could be Associate Director at AECOM.
addressed and sought ways in which
leadership lunch senior women and role models could It is anticipated that the INWED
proactively create opportunities for Leadership Lunch will become a
To celebrate International Women in advancement and inclusion within their signature event for the Academy,
Engineering Day (INWED) on 23 June, own networks. The event was hosted focusing on a new and relevant theme
the Academy hosted an inaugural by Academy President Dame Ann each year to drive progress on gender
INWED Leadership Lunch themed Dowling and the keynote presentation equality.
Engineering a workplace for women on
22 June.
Like many other professions, engineering
has a gender pay gap because of the
shortage of women in the profession,
and one of the barriers to women
advancing their careers is the lack of
visible role models.
The lunch facilitated lively discussions
and provided a platform for the next
generation of engineers to network with
senior industry leaders and to share
advice and experiences.
Roma Agrawal MBE with Dame Ann Dowling
Greenhouse gas ambitious target of reaching an 80% The workshop convened groups of
removal study reduction (relative to 1990 levels) experts in these areas to explore how
in greenhouse gas emissions by the the UK and the world could deploy a
On 9 March, the Academy and the Royal year 2050. Because of the difficulties system of greenhouse gas removal
Society held a workshop to gather associated with decarbonising some technologies at a large enough scale to
evidence for an ongoing study on sectors, such as agriculture and aviation, meet ambitious climate change targets.
greenhouse gas removal. mechanisms of capturing atmospheric Discussions focused on the realistic
carbon will be required to meet this goal. potential of these methods given the
The Paris Agreement, to which the UK is restrictions of resources, environment,
a signatory, aims to limit global warming Greenhouse gas removal pathways technology, economics, legislation and
to a maximum of 2°C while striving to range from natural solutions such as social acceptability.
limit it to 1.5°C. To support this aim, the planting forests and restoring habitats,
agreement sets a target for net zero to those that require large engineering The evidence gathered at the workshop
global emissions in the second half of infrastructure such as bioenergy with will inform a final joint Academy and Royal
this century. Through the Climate Change carbon capture and storage or direct Society report that will be published in
Act, the UK has already set a long-term air capture. the autumn.
Academy launches Graduate
Engineering Engagement Programme
On 25 June, 80 people attended an event at the Academy to
launch an employer-led Graduate Engineering Engagement
Programme (GEEP).
The programme encourages more diverse engineering
graduates to transition into engineering employment; shares
findings from research into the employment practices of
The EEP pilot alumni and employers speaking about their experiences
engineering employers; and shares an inclusive recruitment
toolkit to support inclusive recruitment practices across female engineering graduates (16%) entering engineering
engineering. employment, with only 9.3% working in engineering.
The Academy’s focus on graduate recruitment is driven by its To find out more about the event, the GEEP, or the research and
data analysis that revealed that while 27% of UK engineering toolkit, visit www.raeng.org.uk/engdiversity
graduates are from ethnic minority backgrounds, only 7.8% If you are an employer and would like to know more about how
are in engineering employment. There is also a shortfall of UK to get involved, please email diversityteam@raeng.org.uk
Thought leadership 7
Workshop on integrated economic outcomes across catchment day was to develop a better shared
catchment management areas. understanding across stakeholders in the
catchment system of the ways in which
In March, Academy Fellows, staff and The Academy held the workshop at the different component parts of the system
partners travelled to Cumbria to deliver Freshwater Biological Association premises interact and produce outcomes, both
a workshop as part of the Academy’s on the shore of Lake Windermere. In the desirable and undesirable. Given better
support of the Environment Agency’s morning, local stakeholders, businesses shared model building, local stakeholders
Catchment Pioneer project. and catchment experts were introduced might be in a position to develop fruitful
to systems thinking and taken through a actions on a range of environmental,
This is part of the Academy’s work set of activities that elicited objectives, social and economic outcomes.
exploring the application of systems- needs and constraints for the project
based approaches to policymaking and its at local, regional and national scales. In the longer term, the Academy is
implementation. The project focuses on Activities in the afternoon explored supporting the Environment Agency
Cumbria and is testing the principles of examples of systems-thinking methods in a bid to secure a funded research
the government’s 25-Year Environment before discussing next steps for the placement that can further develop and
Plan in practice, including better co- Pioneer project. embed approaches to shared model
design of local delivery to improve the building for integrated catchment
management of environmental, social and One of the recommendations from the management in Cumbria.
Gender pay gap reporting
The Academy D&I Programme has begun work on an analysis of
gender pay gap data in engineering.
In April, employers with more than 250 employees were
required by law to report their gender pay gap; to date, 10,559
employers have done so. The results provide further evidence
of the serious issue of the underrepresentation of women in
engineering. It also highlights the lack of women at senior levels
and in occupations that pay higher salaries.
The Academy voluntarily reported on its own gender pay
The Academy’s analysis of the data will be used to identify gap. It found that there is a pay gap in favour of women when
trends or patterns and produce an engineering-wide gender considering mean hourly pay, at -2.19%, but the median hourly
equality action plan that makes recommendations concerning pay gap is in favour of men at 9.19%. To find out more, please
recruitment, retention and career progression. email gill.thomas@raeng.org.uk
Research and innovation Executive, Sir Mark Walport FRS to discuss growing the AI and data-driven economy,
policy roundtables how UKRI can best engage with business, clean growth, the future of mobility and
and the role of business and industry in the ageing society. As the government
In March, the Academy held two roundtables delivering the government's target for the develops the challenges further, it asked
on research and innovation (R&I). UK to invest 2.4% of GDP in R&D by 2027. the national academies to organise
Participants included innovation and sector-led events to help inform its
On 19 March, the Academy met Sam business stakeholders from across the UK, thinking. Fellows from all four Academies
Gyimah MP, Minister for Universities, representing companies of different sizes participated to facilitate multidisciplinary
Science, Research and Innovation, to from a range of sectors. discussion.
discuss business priorities for a post-
Brexit innovation system. Chaired by On 10 May, the Academy hosted its
Academy Vice-President Professor Iain Industrial Strategy Grand meeting in the series on the future of
Gray CBE FREng FRSE, it gave the minister Challenges roundtable mobility. This brought government officials
the opportunity to hear from a variety together with Fellows and stakeholders
of businesses and entrepreneurs with In May, the Academy worked alongside from academia, industry, the automotive,
firsthand experience of participating its sister academies to coordinate four aerospace and rail sectors, and
in EU R&I programmes. The Academy interdisciplinary discussion meetings engineering and social science disciplines.
will continue to inform discussions on to inform government thinking on the The discussion explored what the future
business perspectives and priorities Industrial Strategy Grand Challenges. of UK mobility may look like, how these
on innovation in the context of the UK’s changes may support economic growth
departure from the EU. The government’s Industrial Strategy and social benefit, and where the UK has
White Paper set out four Grand Challenges opportunities and strengths that can be
On 28 March, just before the formal launch that underpin a strategic vision to shape supported and built upon. The meeting
of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI), the emerging industries and build on the was valuable for government to inform and
Academy held a roundtable with its Chief UK’s competitive advantages. These are: shape its work on the Grand Challenges.
8 Thought leadership
Frontiers of Engineering for
Development
Research and
In May, the fifth Frontiers of Engineering for Development
innovation
(FoEDev) symposium took place at the Academy.
The theme of the symposium was The Circular Economy,
which was explored through three sub-themes: designing for
circularity, learning from natural systems, and dematerialisation.
The event was co-chaired by Professor Adisa Azapagic FREng,
Professor of Sustainable Chemical Engineering at the University
of Manchester, and Dr David Greenfield, SOENECS/Circular
Economy Club.
Two workshops also took place at the event. The first was run
in conjunction with Chatham House, to encourage insights
from the event. The second, run in partnership with the Ellen
MacArthur Foundation, used a case study to delve into circular
business models.
Richard MacCowan, Biomimicry UK, tangles himself and participants up in
On the final evening of the symposium, delegates were string in an interactive exercise to map and explore complex natural systems
joined by the London Circular Economy Club at the Barbican
Conservatory for a reception and dinner. The event included a group of 65 emerging UK and global engineering leaders
thought-provoking keynote speech from Chief Scientific Advisor from a diverse range of backgrounds to discuss pioneering
to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, technical work and cutting-edge research for international
Professor Ian Boyd FRSE. development.
FoEDev symposia are interdisciplinary and facilitate The next event will take place in November 2018 in Vietnam,
national and international collaborations that tackle global titled Engineers as Healthcare Professionals. Expressions of
development challenges. The events bring together a select interest are now open via www.raeng.org.uk/foedev
Regional Engagement Engineering, University of Strathclyde. The national competition is open to
Awards early-career researchers in STEM, and
• Professor Daniel Esser, Leonardo / provides an opportunity for presenters to
In January, the Academy awarded six Royal Academy of Engineering Research discuss their research with expert judges
Regional Engagement Awards as part of Chair in Laser Device Physics and and local MPs. The day was divided into
the wider Investment in Research Talent Engineering, Heriot-Watt University. two sessions with 90 posters presented
from the National Productivity Investment in each; chemistry, mathematics and
fund. The awards build on the Academy’s • Professor Jennifer Whyte, physics; and biosciences and engineering.
successful Research Chair and Senior Laing O’Rourke / Royal Academy of
Research Fellowship programmes and Engineering Research Chair in Systems Over 200 engineering abstracts were
extend the benefits of engineering, in Integration, Imperial College London. received, which was the highest number
terms of economic growth and societal for any subject category this year. The
advancement, to local economies. • Professor Chris Pearce, EDF Energy / judging panel, chaired by Professor
Royal Academy of Engineering Research Stephen McLaughlin FREng FRSE,
The Academy’s Regional Engagement Chair in Computational Mechanics, selected three outstanding poster
Awards support current Research Chairs University of Glasgow. presentations on the day.
and Senior Research Fellows to engage
with SMEs and other organisations, • Professor Kenneth Grattan OBE Louise Mason from the University of
allowing them to harness the researchers’ FREng, George Daniels Trust / Royal Glasgow won the £2,000 Gold Prize for
engineering expertise and networks. The Academy of Engineering Research Chair her research investigating the viscoelastic
awardees are: in Next Generation Optical and Fibre properties of complex materials and cells
Optic Instrumentation, City, University of to study cancer migration.
• Professor Ashutosh Tiwari, Airbus / London.
Royal Academy of Engineering Research The day was a great success and well
Chair in Digitisation for Manufacturing, attended by MPs and representatives
University of Sheffield. STEM for Britain from major learned societies. A special
thank you goes to the Academy Fellows
• Professor Alan Kemp, Fraunhofer On 12 March, the annual STEM for Britain who gave up their time to review
UK / Royal Academy of Engineering competition was held at the House of abstracts and judge the posters as
Research Chair in Advanced Laser Commons. members of the judging panel.
Research and innovation 9
Innovation collaboration perspectives on adopting a systems- create links with the UK. The Leaders
with India thinking approach to research policy. in Innovation Fellowship programme
has supported Indian researchers with
On 16 and 17 April, the Indian Indian policymakers are increasingly commercialisation.
government’s Department of Science keen to use research and innovation to
and Technology invited the Academy tackle pressing societal challenges, from Professor Wakeham said: “This meeting
to a conference on Working in systems remediating environmental stresses to is a great opportunity to see how we
not silos: driving growth and innovation creating jobs for a young population. can work together to improve research
through industry–academia partnerships However, major barriers exist as the and innovation policy and ensure all
in Chandigarh, India. huge variety of schemes on offer, parts of the process fit together as
inappropriate incentive frameworks and a coherent whole. The investment
The Academy delegation was led by lack of industry–academia relationships the Academy IAPP projects obtain
Professor Sir William Wakeham FREng, discourage productive interactions in India from government, academia
who was accompanied by Professor between sectors. and industry shows the significant
Norman Apsley OBE FREng, Tim Askew contributions a joined-up approach
FREng, and representatives from Oxentia Through the Newton Fund, the to research and skills partnership can
and the Manufacturing Technology Academy has funded 32 projects bring. These projects allow the UK
Centre. At the conference, senior that bridge this divide, while the participants to build deep relationships
representatives from government, Industry Academia Partnership with these important players in India’s
academia and industry shared Programme (IAPP) has helped to innovation system.”
Showcasing the UK’s most promising
engineering entrepreneurs
On 31 May, the Enterprise Hub held its annual Hub Showcase to
celebrate the outgoing 2017/18 cohort of Enterprise Fellows.
The event included a keynote speech from William Tunstall-
Pedoe, the AI guru who founded Evi, the technology used to
create Amazon’s Alexa. In his speech, William shared the story
of how he went from “British individual with a crazy tech idea
to the world’s best-selling AI product a decade later”. Academy
CEO Dr Hayaatun Sillem gave the opening introduction and Ian
Shott CBE FREng, Chair of the Enterprise Committee, hosted the
evening.
The Hub Showcase is an opportunity for investors and business A team member from Gravity Sketch demonstrates its 3D design technology
leaders to meet exceptional engineering entrepreneurs who
the Academy has supported through its Enterprise Fellowships to understand vocally produced sounds and turn them into
scheme. Fourteen Hub members pitched live to over 100 live instrumentation, and Dr Felicity de Cogan, Co-Founder of
attendees. This included George Wright, CEO of Vochlea Music, NitroPep, who has developed a novel protective coating that kills
who has developed an audio engine that uses machine learning bacteria on contact.
The 2017/18 cohort of Enterprise Fellows has achieved a huge
amount in the past year. Highlights include Oluwaseyi Sosanya
raising £1.2 million in seed funding for Gravity Sketch, an
intuitive 3D design tool that uses virtual reality, and Dr Katerina
Spranger’s company Oxford Heartbeat being named WIRED’s UK
health startup of the year.
This year’s Showcase is one of several events celebrating
the Enterprise Hub’s fifth anniversary. The next event will be
the Launchpad Competition final, which will take place on 22
November 2018.
The Academy is accepting applications for the 2019/20 cohort
of Enterprise Fellows. If you know any exceptional researchers
at universities and research institutes who are wishing to spin-
out, including international PhD students or recent graduates
looking to start a company, then please direct them to
Dr Enass Abo-Hamed demonstrates H2GO Power's low-cost hydrogen www.raeng.org.uk/enterprisefellowships or contact
production and storage technologies angus.baker@raeng.org.uk for more information.
10 Research and innovationBeyond automation: the
new world of work
In March, over 100 guests attended the
Beyond automation: the new world of
work event at Prince Philip House hosted
by Alok Jha, science journalist, author and
broadcaster.
The event explored the new world of
engineering opportunities that will arise
from automation in the future, with a
specialist panel that included Rebecca
Enonchong, leading tech entrepreneur
and Africa Prize judge and CEO and
Founder of AppsTech, Dr John Lazar CBE
FREng, pioneering software engineer,
and Academy CEO Dr Hayaatun Sillem.
After a short introduction by each
speaker, the panel discussed how Alok Jha, Rebecca Enonchong, Dr Hayaatun Sillem and Dr John Lazar discussed disruptive technologies
during a panel discussion exploring future engineering possibilities
disruptive technologies, such as
automation, AI and the Internet of Things,
offer attractive possibilities for the Rebecca Enonchong shared a practical engage with future opportunities, as
future with a new world of engineering insight that is relevant to Africa, well as creating a workforce that better
opportunities. highlighting that new automation reflects the diversity of society, which
technologies are an opportunity for is essential if the future products and
Dr Lazar stated: “We are generally very growth and leapfrogging. She also services that are being developed are
bad at forecasting, and subject to Amara’s touched upon how few African jobs are to properly serve the people who use
Law: ‘We tend to overestimate the effect linked to industrialisation, highlighting them.
of a technology in the short run and that AI will not be replacing them but will
underestimate the effect in the long run’. instead help to support development. The topics led to an engaging and
Our solutions and policies cannot be too insightful Q&A session, which was
rigid, prescriptive or tramlined; we should Dr Hayaatun Sillem focused on how followed by a networking reception.
strive for ‘anti-fragility’.” digital skills are vital to helping society
Seven new Research Fellowships • Dr Ben Green, University of Warwick
Long-distance quantum communication devices via
In March, the Academy announced support for seven new engineered defects in diamond.
engineering Research Fellowships, with each awardee
receiving five years’ worth of funding to advance their • Dr Massimiliano Materazzi, UCL
academic research. Advanced thermal technologies for conversion of waste into
second-generation biofuels.
The proposed research topics cover a variety of engineering
disciplines, including deep learning for robotics, technologies • Dr Edward Johns, Imperial College London
to enable the conversion of waste into biofuels, and new Empowering next-generation robots with dexterous
3D-imaging techniques for tissue engineering. manipulation: deep learning via simulation.
Research Fellowships advance excellence in engineering by • Dr Rainer Groh, University of Bristol
enabling outstanding early-career academics to concentrate Robust computational methods and design paradigms for
on basic research in any field of engineering. The funding spatially chaotic structures.
allows researchers to reduce their teaching and administrative
duties, giving them time to develop a track record in their • Dr Charlotte Hagen, UCL
discipline. They also receive mentoring from an experienced A novel 3D, non-destructive imaging platform for tissue
Academy Fellow. The Fellowships are supported through the UK engineering.
government’s Investment in Research Talent initiative.
• Dr Brian Sheil, University of Oxford
The awardees are: Intelligent real-time monitoring to inform underground
construction processes.
• Dr Myra Lydon, Queen's University Belfast
Solutions to monitor and assess resilience in transport For more information on Research Fellowships, visit
(SMART) infrastructure. www.raeng.org.uk/research-fellowships
Research and innovation 11Education and
skills
Connecting STEM Teachers
collaborative project
This summer, teacher coordinators
from the Academy’s Connecting STEM
Teachers programme delivered 33
collaborative projects with schools from
their networks.
The projects are unique to each region
and were created to meet the specific
needs and circumstances of the teachers
and students in the area. In Hampshire,
170 students from five primary and Students work together on one of the Academy's STEM learning resources
eight secondary schools competed in an
inter-school robotics tournament. Teams Since the project started in 2012, engineering institutions, and the project
from each school undertook a series of the number of schools and pupils has gained increased support from STEM
challenges including building and coding participating in collaborative projects Learning’s STEM Ambassador programme
MicroBit BattleBots and designing and across the country has continued to grow, and Tomorrow’s Engineers.
manufacturing touchscreen Egloves and girls now account for 48% of pupils
to control a remote bionic hand. In benefiting from projects. For more information on the Connecting
Hertfordshire and Essex, students took STEM Teachers programme, visit
part in an Airgineer STEM challenge to The wider engineering community www.raeng.org.uk/connecting-stem-
design, build and learn to fly two types of supports the collaborations, including teachers
drone; micro and racing drones. industry, universities and professional
Opportunity to collaborate
with African higher
education institutions
On 1 June, the Higher Education
Partnerships in sub-Saharan Africa (HEP
SSA) programme opened a new call for
funding.
In 2012, the Academy’s Engineers
for Africa report identified a lack of
capacity and lack of necessary skills
and experience within engineering in
Africa. By forming and strengthening
relationships between academia and
industry, HEP SSA aims to ensure that
the higher education system in sub-
Saharan Africa produces engineers with
the skills and knowledge required to
meet the needs of industry, tackle local Professor Hua Zhao FREng (right), Brunel University and UK partner at the University of Port Harcourt
knowledge sharing workshop in December 2017
challenges, address the engineering
skills shortage in the region, and engage and disseminate knowledge Sebastian Scott, Programme Manager at
showcase engineering’s role in driving through the project’s stakeholders and sebastian.scott@raeng.org.uk or visit
economic development. partners. www.raeng.org.uk/hepssa
This is achieved through bilateral The Academy is looking to build Previous experience of working or
secondments with local industry, partnerships between UK and collaborating with African universities is
undertaking engineering curriculum African academia. Fellows who are not a requirement, and all enquiries and
reviews in line with industry needs and interested in participating in the HEP information provided will be held with
international standards, and hosting SSA programme, or would like to find the strictest confidence.
knowledge-sharing workshops that out more information, should contact
12 Education and skillsEngineering Leaders Scholarships The ongoing success of the programme is only possible due
selection event to the continued support of the Academy’s Fellows, Sainsbury
Management Fellows and ELS alumni. To get involved, please
In March, 69 high-performing engineering undergraduates contact jacqueline.clay@raeng.org.uk
attended a selection event at the Academy, hoping to become
one of this year’s Engineering Leaders Scholars (ELS).
The ELS steering group selected 35 undergraduates from
all engineering sectors and from universities across the UK,
including Aberystwyth University, Durham University, Queens’
University Belfast, the University of Strathclyde, and the
University of Southampton. Of the 35 new scholars, 12 are
women.
This new cohort of ELS awardees will receive £5,000 to
help enhance their skills and assist them in becoming future
engineering leaders. The group will join the existing 70 scholars
attending an annual networking and training weekend each
autumn. This provides an opportunity to engage in a range of
business activities and to network with ELS alumni, Sainsbury
Management Fellows and Academy Fellows. Attendees at the 2018 selection event
Benefits of rewarding and reward of teaching standards in all universities road-testing it, and is freely
university teaching ability subjects. available for all universities to use.
put to the test around the Universities, including University This framework will help universities
world College London, the National University to define the progressive levels of
of Singapore, École Polytechnique teaching achievement that underpin
In April, the Academy published a report Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland and career advancement based on teaching
showing that rewarding excellent and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and learning. This applies particularly
highly effective teaching in academia is supported the project by evaluating the to academic career planning and to
both feasible and desirable. career framework and, in many cases, reward systems related to educational
used it to inform and guide changes to leadership. The new framework
The report, Career Framework for how they support and recognise teaching. addresses these issues through a flexible
University Teaching, builds on a set of and adaptable approach.
principles published by the Academy The template has three main areas: the
two years ago. It shares the results of a academic’s sphere of impact, setting For more information,visit
follow-up study in which the principles promotion criteria, and identifying www.raeng.org.uk/CareerFramework
were applied in nine universities across evidence to show achievement. It has UniversityTeaching or
the world to inform the recognition been refined based on feedback from the www.teachingframework.com
Visiting Professors
On 9 May, 24 new Visiting Professors were awarded across
21 universities.
A record 63 applications for the scheme were received: four
were successfully awarded from post-92 universities, and five
applications were awarded to female engineers, an increase on
previous years.
On 18 June, the Academy held an induction conference for the
Visiting Professors and their host Academic Champion, who
supports them through their professorship. Participants met
each other and discussed their plans, goals and concerns for the
next three years. Past awardees also spoke to the group about
their own experiences. The new Visiting Professors at the induction conference
The Visiting Professors scheme aims to use the professors' industry practitioners participate in course development, face-
industrial experience to enhance student learning as well as the to-face teaching and mentoring of engineering undergraduates
employability and skills of UK engineering graduates. Senior at the host university for at least 12 days a year for three years.
Education and skills 13Academy excelled, in an unusual leadership position
roundup
or someone of extraordinary future
potential or on an influential trajectory.
The membership team and I are available
to provide advice, if needed.
Promoting inclusivity in
the Fellowship In the period ahead, we also have some
more social activities planned: the
Professor Richard Williams OBE FREng next Fellows lunch is being held on 23
FRSE, Vice-President of Fellowship October, and a new summer event for
Engagement, provides an update on the Fellows and their partners has been
Academy’s Fellowship activities. announced. The summer event will be
held at the Academy on Thursday 26
With the change of timelines for July and provides an opportunity to Professor Richard Williams OBE FREng, Vice-
nomination of new Fellows (see page 15), network and socialise with each other President for Fellowship Engagement
the period ahead provides prime time to as well as with the next generation of
craft nominations. I know from speaking leaders in the industry (awardee alumni). space available, should they wish to hire
with so many Fellows that, in particular, It provides a further opportunity to it for events in the future.
we are keen to demonstrate and model meet the Trustee Board members and
inclusivity and diversity. So I would invite find out more about their roles and I continue to welcome your ideas,
you to consider carefully and take an responsibilities. Fellows can also enjoy observations and advice, and can be
action to nominate a potential Fellow great hospitality from the Academy’s contacted at
perhaps from a small company that has in-house catering partners and view the vicepresident@raeng.org.uk
Media roundup Two Academy reports on cyber safety and the Internet of Things
received extensive media coverage, including Mail Online, Daily
In February, the President was widely quoted in coverage of Telegraph and various trade publications. The launch of the
the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council’s Welsh Valleys Engineering Project generated features on both
science photography competition, including in the Daily Mail, BBC Online and BBC One Wales.
Independent and Daily Telegraph.
In April, Future Collective, an event held in Manchester as part of
Coinciding with the Enterprise Hub’s fifth anniversary, the This is Engineering campaign, was covered by Manchester
Michael Tougher, winner of the Academy’s 2016 Launchpad Evening News and the Chairs in Emerging Technologies received
Competition, appeared on BBC World News to discuss his coverage in local press and specialist publications.
innovation Soundbops, an educational toy that helps children
learn music. In June, Owlstone Medical, winners of the 2018 MacRobert
Award, received extensive coverage with appearances in the
The finalists of the 2018 Africa Prize received media attention, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph and Metro, local radio news and
with four entrepreneurs appearing on the BBC World Service in newspapers, and engineering trade press. The MacRobert
March. The winner, Brian Gittu, was featured on BBC News and finalists continue to generate interest with coverage in Reuters,
a number of African news sites. local media and trade publications.
News of Fellows been appointed Chair of the Accelerated Richardson and Dr Dame Angela Strank
Access Collaborative DBE have been elected Fellows of the
Professor Chimay Anumba has been Royal Society
awarded the 2018 American Society of Civil Professor Dame Ann Dowling OM DBE
Engineers’ Computing in Civil Engineering FRS has been awarded the Engineering Professor Lynn Gladden CBE FRS has
Award Professors' Council President's Prize for her been appointed Chair of the Engineering
societal impact as an engineer and educator, and Physical Sciences Research Council
Tudor Brown MBE has been appointed to and involvement in Global Grand Challenges
the board of Garrison Technology Patrick Thomas has been appointed
Anne Glover CBE has been appointed as Chairman of Johnson Matthey
Lord Browne of Madingley FRS has been a Non-Executive Director to the Bank of
appointed to the Advisory Board of Blue England Professor Michael Walker OBE has
Bear Capital been elected a Fellow of the European
Dr Andy Harter CBE has been appointed Telecommunications Standards Institute
Naomi Climer CBE has been appointed as High Sheriff of Cambridgeshire
a Non-Executive Director of Focusrite Plc Martyn Thomas CBE has been appointed
Dr Demis Hassabis CBE, Professor Visiting Professor at the University of
Lord Darzi of Denham OM PC KBE has Graeme Jameson AO, Professor David Manchester
14 Academy roundupYou can also read
