New global partnerships
he Royal Academy of Engineering has become a partner countries. This scheme will bring to the UK talented delivery partner of the UK Newton Fund. Launched researchers, who have developed commercially viable Tby the Chancellor, The Rt Hon George Osborne ideas, for an intensive residential course of training and MP, the Newton Fund will provide £375 million over five mentoring in entrepreneurship and business. On their years to promote science and innovation activities that return, researchers will be supported in their own country to contribute to social welfare and economic development in focus on commercialising their innovation, while benefiting 15 emerging economies. from ongoing mentorship from senior experts at home and in the UK. Through a programme of mobility schemes, fellowships, research collaborations and innovation partnerships, Finally, the Academy will extend its Enriching Engineering the Newton Fund will facilitate science and innovation Education Programme, successfully piloted in Africa, to other capacity building and support research that helps to tackle Newton Fund partner countries. The aim of the programme the challenges faced by disadvantaged people across the is to increase the innovation capacity of higher education globe. The funding is drawn from the UK’s international institutions in those countries, primarily through the creation aid budget and is being matched by contributions from the of structured and strong partnerships between universities partner countries, which include China, India, Brazil, Mexico, and local industry. It will bring engineering curricula in Indonesia and South Africa. universities in line with current industrial practice, improve teaching practices in engineering and catalyse research As part of its commitment to the UK Newton Fund, the collaborations. Academy launched a new international exchange programme in September 2014, building on the success of the Research More information about the Newton Research Collaboration Exchanges with China and India scheme. The Newton Programme is available at: www.raeng.org.uk/newtonfund Research Collaboration Programme aims to develop capacity in science and innovation by enabling researchers to travel between the UK and a range of Newton partner countries for visits of three to twelve months. Exchanges with researchers from the following Newton Fund Partner Countries are eligible for funding under this programme: Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa, Turkey and Vietnam. The Programme is now open and the closing date for applications is 4pm on Friday 24 October, 2014. The Newton Fund was launched on 9 April in São Paulo, Brazil. The Chancellor visited labs at São Paulo University to promote closer collaboration and more In addition, the Academy will support the Leaders in opportunities for UK research Innovation Fellowships programme involving Newton Photo: ©HM Treasury
President’s column 2 Innovation and entrepreneurship 8 Governance review 3 Business and manufacturing 10 Newsletter Infrastructure and transport 4 Academy roundup 11 Energy and natural resources 4 News of Fellows 11 Autumn 2014 Technology and society 5 Obituaries 12 People and talent 6
1 President's Our Academy has come far, but there is to increase the quality of engineering much more to do. Our Fellows are core to education and training in colleges. Over the column everything we aim to achieve and I will be last five years, we have led the analysis of calling on, indeed relying on, the support FE STEM data, which is so poor compared and active participation of the Fellowship to the data available for higher education. as we look to increase still further our The Academy has worked closely with impact and influence across policy, government to implement reforms across research, education and skills. The newly the FE sector and provided expertise and appointed Trustee Board will be updating input for a number of influential reviews of the Academy’s strategy, last refreshed in vocational education, apprenticeships and 2011, and will engage the Fellowship in skills. We are also taking forward a number setting priorities for the next five years. of recommendations from the Perkins I hope that all our Fellows will embrace the review of skills by means of four task- opportunities to get involved. and‑finish groups led by Fellows, including one dedicated to FE. My first official assignment as President was less than 24 hours after my election. However, change is not happening at the We invited a number of very senior leaders pace and scale we require. Furthermore, from engineering industry to a breakfast there is no one organisation that is roundtable to discuss the shortage of championing the cause or delivering engineering skills and the role of the specific and targeted interventions for further education (FE) sector in addressing teachers and students on a national scale. I would like to begin my first newsletter it. While the engineering skills debate column by paying tribute to Sir John Parker often revolves around higher education With the right support, we can deploy for his enormous contribution as President. and the need to produce more graduate the expertise, experience, influence to His leadership of the Academy and its engineers, FE is frequently overlooked. transform FE and vocational teaching and contributions to the national debate on Part of the reason for this must be due to learning for engineering. many critical issues has created a lasting the complexity of the FE landscape, which legacy both for the engineering profession is certainly the least understood of all the Our vision is to double the numbers and for the country. I would also like to education sectors. of 16- to 19-year-old students taking take this opportunity to personally thank full‑time, publically funded engineering Sir John for his warm welcome and for the The critical issue is that most of the qualifications across the UK at Level 3, support he has given me as I prepared for engineering FE qualifications gained are by 2018. By working together with our this role. at GCSE level (Level 2) but what industry partners and supporters, the Academy can requires is a much greater number of make a difference in this important area. I am delighted and deeply honoured that students with Level 3 qualifications (A Fellows of the Academy have elected me level and higher BTECs) who can go on to as President at the AGM and look forward become the skilled technicians that the to the challenge. The names of the new nation needs. Currently, only a quarter of Fellows were announced at the same FE engineering qualifications are at Level 3 AGM, and I would like to congratulate and and a mere 2% are at Level 4 and above. welcome them all. We look forward to involving each of them in the work of the The Academy has been focusing on FE for Academy over the coming years. some time. We run a portfolio of activities
AGM 2014 Fellows, 51 Fellows and one Honorary Enterprise Hub Member; Professor Fellow was noted. The full list of new Brian Falzon, who is Bombardier/ The Academy’s 38th Annual General Fellows can be found at Royal Academy of Engineering Meeting was held at Prince Philip House www.raeng.org.uk/New-Fellows-2014 Research Chair in Advanced Aerospace on 15 September. Composites; and Silver Medal winner The Annual Review and the Financial Professor Máire O’Neill, who is a former In his final review of the year, Sir John Report and Accounts for the year RAEng/EPSRC Research Fellow. Parker GBE FREng highlighted key ending 31 March 2014 were received. developments and activities, including Following the formal business of the Sir John Parker presented a 2014 Silver the implementation of the review AGM, Fellows had the opportunity to Medal to Professor Máire O’Neill; the of governance that had created a hear from three recipients of Academy 2014 Sir Frank Whittle Medal to Professor Trustee Board as the Academy’s new grants and prizes who talked about Peter Wells CBE FREng FRS and the 2014 governing body. work they have undertaken. The Sir George Macfarlane Medal to Eur Ing speakers were: Dr Daniel Elford, who Mark Wallace. The election of seven International is a former Enterprise Fellow and an
2 President's column Governance review
In October 2011, Professor Sir William group consulted widely with Academy • An immediate priority for the Board will Wakeham (Senior Vice President) was stakeholders and was advised by an be a review of the terms of reference of tasked by Council to conduct a review independent expert. all Academy committees. of the Academy’s governance. The Charity Commission recommends regular Following preliminary reports, the review • The Academy will draw up intergroup governance reviews, and the Academy had group presented its final report to Council agreements with its subsidiaries. not conducted an in-depth review since in October 2013. its formation in 1976. Substantial changes The implementation of these over the intervening period include: The main report recommendations were: recommendations required significant amendment of the Academy’s Charter, • An increase in the number and • The Council of 26 trustees to be Statutes and Regulations. The complexity of the Academy’s activities. replaced by a Trustee Board of 13 amendments were approved by Council trustees all elected by the Fellowship. on 8 January 2014, at an Extraordinary • The requirement to comply with new General Meeting on 7 April, by a postal legislation including the Charities Act • The Board will appoint up to three ballot of the Fellowship on 19 May and 2011, Briberies Act 2010 and others. Vice Presidents from its members, one finally by the Privy Council on 16 July. responsible for Fellowship engagement The new governance structure became • The recent formation of two Academy and another for the coordination of the effective immediately after the AGM on subsidiaries, the Queen Elizabeth Prize Academy’s committees. 15 September 2014. The first meeting for Engineering Foundation and RAE of the new Trustee Board will be on 20 Trading Limited. • The Board will discharge its October 2014. governance duties through the Sir William, supported by Academy staff, following committees: Finance, Audit set up a review group of Fellows, all with and Risk, Remuneration, Nominations relevant governance experience. The and Membership.
New Academy President
Dame Ann started her career as a mathematician and did her PhD in engineering acoustics with Professor John Fowcs Williams FREng, who led pioneering noise-reduction research on Concorde. Dame Ann led the Cambridge MIT Silent Aircraft project, and now leads research on efficient, low-emission combustion for aero and industrial gas turbines and low noise vehicles, particularly aircraft.
She is a Fellow of both the Royal Academy of Engineering and the Royal Society, as well as a foreign associate member of both the US National Academy of Engineering and the French Academy of Sciences. Academy Fellows elected Dame Ann as posts at MIT in 1999 and Caltech their first female president at the 2014 in 2001. In 1993, she became the Dame Ann is a non-executive director AGM. Dame Ann succeeds Sir John Parker Department of Engineering’s first ever of BP, a non-executive member of GBE FREng, who served as President for female professor. She was recognised the board of BIS, a panel chair for the three years from 2011-2014. in The Queen’s Birthday Honours in Research Excellence Framework and was 2002, receiving a CBE for services to nominated in BBC Radio 4 Woman’s Hour A world authority on combustion and Mechanical Engineering, and again in power list 2013 as one of the 100 most acoustics, Dame Ann has been Head of 2007, in the New Year’s Honours List, influential women in the country. the Department of Engineering at the when she received a DBE for services University of Cambridge since 2009. She to science. In 2011, she was awarded became a Cambridge research fellow in a UK Resource Centre award for her Dame Ann Dowling with a model of SAX-40, 1977 and has remained at the university ‘Inspiration and Leadership in Academia the Cambridge/MIT concept silent aircraft design ever since, including visiting research and Research’. she led on
Governance review 3 Infrastructure A systematic approach was adopted Motoring of the future to assess all available technological and transport and policy measures in terms of their In August, the Engineering the Future potential to reduce congestion and alliance held a roundtable to discuss their value for money. Increasing the a response to the House of Commons Transport congestion supply side in terms of road and rail Transport Select Committee Motoring capacity is clearly important, and the of the Future inquiry. A group of paper recognises efforts being made by Fellows and members of professional government in this area. Technological engineering institutions provided innovations will also play a major role, expert views on the technologies that particularly through innovations in ICT have the potential to transform driving that will improve performance across all and the wider transport system. The modes of transport. group also considered how the UK government can address developments However, the authors believe that in in motoring technology, including the medium term, the best solution electric vehicles and autonomous cars. will be to utilise capacity-enhancing Following the submission of written The Academy is due to publish a paper technologies alongside demand-side evidence, the Committee will convene oral on transport congestion in October. measures aimed at discouraging and evidence sessions. The paper has been produced by the displacing less important trips from the Transport Community of Practice, led peak. It is recognised that the biggest A copy of the alliance’s written by Professor Andrew McNaughton barrier to this would be public and submission to the inquiry can be found at: FREng and Professor Tony May FREng, political acceptance. The report’s aim www.engineeringthefuture.co.uk/ and is intended to challenge views on is to put forward the expert views of government how to address the country’s growing Fellows and stimulate debate about this congestion problem. important subject.
Energy and in generating supply. Evidence was people generally cope fairly well with gathered from experts in the field and short-run disruptions. Nevertheless, natural resources a report prepared that provides insight it is likely that significant adverse into existing research in this area. political impacts would result from any kind of electricity shortfall, especially CST energy study It is clear that the economic impact because historically high levels of of a severe outage would potentially security of supply mean that people Following on from last year’s Academy run to billions of pounds, particularly are accustomed to – and feel that they report on the GB electricity capacity given society’s increasing reliance on have a right to – continuous power margin, the Prime Minister’s Council for electricity; however, estimates are supply. It is hoped that the report will Science and Technology requested that complicated by high uncertainty and add to the growing body of work by the we also consider the potential economic lack of reliable and comparable data. Academy in advising the government on and social impacts of any shortfalls International case studies suggest that energy policy.
Exploration Challenge Throughout the challenge, the students were set and responded to tasks online. Launched during the 2014 summer Students also received support from BG term, the BG Group/Royal Academy of Group engineers who acted as mentors. Engineering Exploration Challenge was developed by BG Group, the Academy’s The three teams judged to have produced Education department and the Brightside the best reports have now been invited Trust. The Challenge gives teams of to the company’s head office in Reading. post-16 students insight into the work During their visit, the students will receive of the engineers who are responsible for further insight into oil and gas exploration providing guidance about the potential of and the chance to participate in the hydrocarbon reservoirs. company’s team development activities.
Students from UK schools were The Exploration Challenge is to take place challenged to carry out hands-on again with a greater number of teams experiments that analysed the porosity during the 2014/2015 academic year. and permeability of a series of sand Adam Moss (right), a Core Analysis Petrophysicist packs. The teams then used the data from BG Group, demonstrating the experiment at the they had gathered to each write a report centre of the Exploration Challenge with help from an about the samples. A-level student
4 Energy and natural resources Technology and society
Sir Tim Berners-Lee honoured
On 24 September, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, winner of the 2013 Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering (QEPrize), was awarded the Honorary Freedom of the City of London. It is the highest honour that a city can bestow, and a rare privilege that is usually reserved to royalty, heads of state and celebrities. This award is the result of Sir Tim being one of the first recipients of the QEPrize.
For an inventor and engineer to receive such an honour recognises the important role that engineers play in society.
Sir Tim Berners-Lee at the Guildhall, London, for the Lord Mayor’s lunch
Computing education and has asked UKForCE’s chair, Chris Mairs CBE FREng, to give oral evidence The Academy is providing the secretariat to the Committee as well as written for the UK Forum for Computing evidence. The UK Digital Skills Task Education (UKForCE) which brings Force has published its Interim Report, together education, computer science, to which UKForCE contributed, and digital media, IT, engineering and the consultation on the new Computer telecommunications. UKForCE has been Science GCSE received a response building up its policy and representation from UKForCE. work over the past few months. The new House of Lords Digital Skills Select See: http://ukforce.org.uk Committee is holding an inquiry into the state of digital skills in the UK Chair of UKForCE, Chris Mairs CBE FREng
Fun Kids Radio interviewed. Ahead of each workshop, attendees were also asked to plan a Blue Ingenious is the Academy’s grant scheme Peter‑style demonstration of something for public engagement with engineering. they felt would inspire young people to Over eight years, the scheme has think about engineering which would be supported 140 projects and given filmed on the day. more than 2,000 engineers skills and opportunities in public engagement. Fun Kids Radio ran 11 workshops across the UK for 109 engineers from companies Last year, Fun Kids Radio, the UK’s only including Transport for London, Airbus, radio station for children, was awarded Crossrail and Qinetiq. Following the an Ingenious grant to produce a series of workshops the station created 11 audio videos and features for the station with features with engineers introducing engineers explaining what inspired them famous engineers who inspired them, to take up their chosen careers. such as Isambard Kingdom Brunel, as well as 20 video demonstrations The project began with a series of media on topics ranging from how to build Links to the videos and audio features can training workshops for young engineers. better aeroplanes to making buildings be found at: Run by broadcasting professionals earthquake-proof. In addition, a five‑part http://tinyurl.com/q2eyv3d from the station, the workshops were series was created to promote the video interactive, giving participating engineers demonstrations for the Fun Kids website Fun Kids Radio breakfast show presenter Sean the chance to learn how radio features and to inspire a new generation to Thorne leads a masterclass on presenting to children are created and to practice being explore engineering. at a workshop at University College London
Technology and society 5 Policymaking event Chaired by Dr Alan Walker, Head of engineers must learn to be relevant, Policy at the Academy, speakers on consider their timing and other factors Deciding policy is not a logical process the panel included Dr Jason Blackstock involved in the creation of policy; and and scientific advice is only one piece (UCL), Andrew Crudgington (ICE), Giles that they must learn to understand their of many in the policymaking puzzle, Robertson (Private Secretary to Professor audience when giving scientific advice. a panel of experts agreed at a recent Sir Mark Walport) and Professor Lord For example, a piece of legislation will PolicyNet event. Robert Winston HonFREng. generally take into consideration societal factors and values which may conflict Held at the Academy on 25 June, Both panellists and the audience with scientific evidence. It is therefore PolicyNet convened to discuss what came up with a variety of answers, the important to engage with policymakers skills are needed to bring scientific most prevalent being that effective but understand that ultimately scientists expertise to bear in policy formulation communication is key when it comes and engineers offer only a contributory and to negotiate the interface between to presenting their messages to rather than definitive component to science, engineering and government. government; that scientists and government thinking.
People and talent Following the publication of a report universities to attract more engineering by Professor John Perkins FREng graduates into engineering employment. in November 2013 on the state of A fourth group is chaired by Professor Perkins review revisited engineering skills, the Academy has Helen Atkinson FREng and has been set convened three task-and-finish groups up by the Engineering Professors’ Council of experts from a range of disciplines. to tackle the specialist skills requirements These groups are implementing at postgraduate level. Professor Perkins’ recommendations to enable industry and academia to better All four groups and the coordinating collaborate in boosting engineering skills committee of Fellows, which includes and education. Sir Richard Olver, Allan Cook and Judith Hackitt, have met twice and, at the Group one, chaired by Steve Holliday end of 2014, will have delivered some FREng of National Grid, seeks to increase immediate activity, initiated longer the supply of work experience for post‑16 term programmes and pilot activities students and industrial experience for aligned to each of the related actions, teachers. Group two, chaired by Carol and contributed to Professor Perkins’ Burke FREng of Unipart Manufacturing, one‑year progress report. considers the further education sector and how to share skills and knowledge The work of the groups supports in engineering to students. Group three, long‑term mobilisation of the engineering chaired by Professor Dame Julia King and academic communities with FREng, focuses on higher education continued support being provided by the Professor Dame Julia King FREng and increasing employer involvement in project team.
Reflections on leadership
Sir John Parker GBE FREng shared his reflections on leadership with an audience of over 100 early- to mid‑career engineers on 8 September. The event, organised to mark the end of his term of office as Academy President, drew on the experiences of his long career as an engineer, industrialist and business leader across a number of engineering sectors.
Professor Sir Michael Gregory CBE FREng, Head of the Institute of Manufacturing at the University of Cambridge, chaired the event, which The evening concluded with a reception, CBE FREng FRS, Dr Martyn Thomas included a question and answer session. at which guests were able to meet other FREng and Professor Rachel Williams, Also in attendance was incoming senior figures from engineering, including Academy researcher and RISE leader. Academy President, Professor Dame Ann Sir William Wakeham FREng, Dr Michael Sir John Parker giving his Reflections on Dowling DBE FREng FRS. Lynch OBE FREng, Dr Hermann Hauser leadership talk
6 People and talent Qualifications response Technology qualifications can replace into another subject”. E4E also disagreed them. Education for Engineering (E4E) that a ‘common content’ approach would A recent consultation from Ofqual caused responded strongly to this, saying solve the issue of disparity between concern about the future of engineering “engineering is not a subset of or awarding bodies. at GCSE and A level. These qualifications ‘pathway’ in Design and Technology, it is currently have very low levels of take- a specific area of study, in its own right. See the full response online at www. up, and it is proposed that Design and It deserves better than to be subsumed educationforengineering.org.uk
Wikipedia event to boost the representation of women basic in terms of computing. With help engineers on Wikipedia. from Wikimedia.org.uk, the Academy ran On 23 June, National Women in a training session in London, and also Engineering Day celebrated the It is estimated that less than 20% of supported a similar event at Southampton achievements of, and opportunities for, Wikipedians (editors of Wikipedia) are Solent University. Over the course of two women and girls in the engineering sector. women, despite it being an important hours, attendees learned how to add, edit, The Academy organised a Wikipedia information resource. Anyone can edit and delete content on Wikipedia, as well Editathon to teach editing skills, and Wikipedia, and the skills required are as the principles behind choosing content.
Taking the ‘E’ out of ‘STEM’ than a scientific and mathematically- Mathematics School, Professor Alison driven endeavour”. Among those Wolf, as well as Steve Holliday FREng, the On 9 October, the Academy will ask arguing for a creative rebranding will Chief Executive at National Grid. whether it is time to rethink the way we be Group Technical Director at Laing talk about engineering. O’Rourke, Paul Westbury FREng; This event is being organised as part of Professor Louise Archer, Professor of the Engineering for Growth campaign A debate at the Royal Academy of Sociology of Education at Kings College to raise debate on the issues that are Engineering – Time to take the ‘E’ London, and Dr Veronika Kapsali, a preventing engineering from making a out of STEM? - will see speakers Reader in Biomimetic Systems at bigger contribution to the health and arguing for and against the motion Northumbria University. wealth of the nation. “This house believes that engineering should be rebranded as a creative Leading the charge for STEM will be Chair This event is fully booked, but a video will and humanitarian discipline rather of Governors at King’s College London be made available at www.raeng.tv
Medal winners
Professor Peter Wells CBE FREng FRS FMedSci FLSW has been awarded the 2014 Sir Frank Whittle Medal. This is presented to an engineer whose sustained achievements have had a profound impact upon their engineering discipline. Professor Eur Ing Mark Wallace, Engineering Project He received his medal from Dr Anne Wells is one of the most well-known Manager at Wabtec Rail Limited, received Howell, daughter of Sir George and highly regarded figures in the the Sir George Macfarlane Medal, which Macfarlane, the late Founder Fellow. Both world of medical ultrasound. His is presented to an engineer who has medals were presented at this year’s AGM outstanding and sustained engineering demonstrated excellence in the early on 15 September. achievements in the medical stages of their career. Wallace has been applications of ultrasound extend recognised for his role in managing Above: Medal winner Eur Ing Mark Wallace with Dr continuously from the 1960s to the complex engineering design projects, Anne Howell, Sir George Macfarlane’s daughter present day. Sir John Parker GBE FREng as well as his flair and dedication to Above left: Professor Peter Wells receiving the Sir presented him with his medal. promoting careers in the rail industry. Frank Whittle Medal from Sir John Parker
People and talent 7 Innovation and entrepreneurship
Launchpad event
The final of the Enterprise Hub’s Launchpad Competition, aimed at budding young technology entrepreneurs in the UK between the ages of 16-25, took place on 23 September at Prince Philip House. The winner received the JC Gammon Award – a £15,000 prize plus bespoke support including mentoring from Academy Fellows.
The event commenced with a keynote from serial entrepreneur, investor and each of the five judges 10% of the vote winnings will go towards R&D, clinical start-up mentor Sherry Coutu CBE. The and the audience 50%. The winner, trials and the CE marking process. three shortlisted finalists each then had Dr Niall Kent, was presented with the three minutes to pitch their business, JC Gammon Award by HRH the Duke Runners up James Popper and Hind followed by a question and answer of York, who champions a range of Kraytem have also been invited to session. The judges were led by Ian initiatives to support and encourage become members of the Enterprise Hub Shott CBE FREng and included David entrepreneurial activity. where they will receive mentoring and Gammon, Roy Merritt, Elspeth Finch and support. The Launchpad Competition is Glenn Manoff. Dr Kent’s winning idea, formulated with generously supported by David Gammon. his co-creator Dr Alessia D’Onofrio, is a The winner was decided using an bioactive synthetic material used for bone HRH the Duke of York with Dr Alessia D’Onofrio interactive voting system which gave grafting in dentistry called Aerograft. His and Launchpad Competition winner Dr Niall Kent
Research Forum
on why and how they support Academy Research Chairs, and what they hope to achieve from the joint venture.
Sir John O’Reilly FREng, Director General of Knowledge and Innovation at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, gave insight into the structure and future of the funding landscape. He stressed the interplay between the three pillars of research, innovation and higher education, and how no single aspect can prosper without support from the other two.
In total, there were nine presentations, demonstrating the influence of The annual Engineering Research Forum, This year, the focus was on ensuring engineering on society and the which took place on 26 September at research impact, an excellent example international engineering community, and the Academy, is a showcase event that of which was provided by former Queen culminating in a panel discussion. If you brings together Academy-supported Mary Research Fellow, and 2014 Silver missed any of the talks they are available researchers, industry partners, Medal Winner, Professor Dino Distefano, to view at http://raeng.tv government and Research Council who spun out Monoidics Ltd to promote representatives. The Forum spotlights the software verification tools he the leading-edge engineering research developed during his Fellowship. that is being conducted in the UK and Research Forum Panellists, l-r: Professor Ric Parker CBE FREng, Professor John Fisher CBE FREng, provides a valuable opportunity for Two of the industry sponsors, Dr Mark Professor Jeremy Watson CBE FREng, Dr Robert networking with similarly-engaged and Taylor of McLaren Racing and Professor Sorrell, Professor Carole Goble CBE FREng, Professor interested parties. Martin Dawson of Fraunhofer UK, spoke Steve Williamson FREng
8 Innovation and entrepreneurship Bursaries awarded For the sixth year running, five prestigious Petrofac/Royal Academy of Engineering Fellowships have been awarded to talented engineers. Awardees will receive a £9,000 bursary towards an eligible full-time master’s-level course at a UK university. Additional learning and development opportunities are provided by Petrofac, including (where possible) a company- sourced major project, a mentor and a work placement.
The annual Petrofac Showcase Event was held at the Academy on 23 September. Newly elected Fellow of the Academy Ayman Asfari FREng, Petrofac’s Group Chief Executive, congratulated the new awardees and presented certificates
Dr Ian Forristal, Head of Research and University to last year’s recipients of the Fellowship, Programmes at the Academy, with Ayman Asfari who all presented posters of projects FREng at the Petrofac Showcase Event conducted during their MSc programmes.
Medical innovation
Dr Susannah Clarke was one of the first six entrepreneurs admitted to the Hub’s Enterprise Fellowship programme in 2012. Thanks to the Enterprise Hub’s support, she has since established Embody, a company that uses 3D printing technology to manufacture patient‑specific surgical instrumentation for hip and knee replacements in a more reliable and cost-effective way.
After studying for an engineering degree at Cambridge, Dr Clarke came to London’s Royal College of Art (RCA) to undertake a master’s degree in Industrial Design Engineering. It was here that she developed an interest in medical device design, leading her to complete a PhD in orthopaedics at Imperial College London, looking at the way that hip implants fail after being positioned in patients. Dr Clarke pursued the commercialisation of this research as a member of the She says, “The Enterprise Hub has given me their views on my project from a Enterprise Hub, closely supported by me access to opportunities that have completely different perspective. This her mentor Professor Saeed Zahedi played a big role in my progress. The has proved invaluable.” OBE FREng, who has a wide range of events organised by the Enterprise Hub experience in prosthetics design and enabled me to meet very experienced business development. people in the industry who gave Dr Susannah Clarke
Career accelerator ‘boot camp’ for graduate engineers of a firm foundation for a higher-level high potential looking to accelerate their business education and inspiring them On the weekend of 20 – 21 September, careers in high-tech and innovative to enter careers in strategic business the Executive Engineers Programme industries. The programme helps leadership. This year’s participants came was held at Aston Business School. participants to more rapidly attain from a range of engineering companies This programme has been developed to professional status as Chartered and organisations including Atkins, BP, meet the need for an enhanced career Engineers (CEng) in addition to laying Shell and Rolls-Royce plc.
Innovation and entrepreneurship 9 Africa Prize civil and computing to biomedical, oil and Following six months of training and gas, mining and electronic engineering. mentoring support from top business development and engineering experts, an Technology to produce clear banana overall winner will be selected to receive juice; an environmentally friendly precise £25,000 along with two runners-up who fertiliser applicator; systems to improve will be awarded £10,000 each. hygiene in urban sanitation; and a service that allows mobile phone users to switch The Africa Prize for Engineering between multiple mobile networks are Innovation was established to highlight among the innovations selected by the importance of engineering as an the Academy to receive training and enabler of improved quality of life and mentoring to help get their businesses economic development, and celebrate off the ground. innovation. The Prize is generously supported by the Shell Centenary Other selected innovations include a Scholarship Fund, Consolidated Twelve entrepreneurs, affiliated with mobile payment application that allows Contractors Company, ConocoPhilips and African universities and research merchants and customers to make and the Mo Ibrahim Foundation. institutions, have been selected as part receive card payments through their of the first year of the Academy’s Africa phones; a low-cost sustainable water Prize for Engineering Innovation. The filter system to provide clean and safe Prize is already Africa’s biggest prize drinking water; and a security alarm devoted to engineering innovation, system that precisely detects tampering Africa Prize for Engineering Innovation judge, covering all disciplines from mechanical, and breaches of perimeter fences. Dr Moses Musaazi
Create the Trophy Euan Fairholm from Edinburgh has won This year, The QEPrize for Engineering the 2014 Create the Trophy competition invited the public to help select the for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for winner of the Create the Trophy Engineering (QEPrize), beating hundreds competition. They were asked to view of UK hopefuls with his design, The the nine shortlisted designs and vote for Golden Crown. their favourite on Facebook. The people’s vote was counted as the seventh judge Fairholm ’s design will be presented by on the Create the Trophy competition Her Majesty the Queen at Buckingham judging panel. Palace to the winner of the 2015 QEPrize. The judges of the Create the Trophy Fairholm, aged 20, is in his fourth competition 2014 were leading figures QEPrize Create the Trophy competition judges year of mechanical engineering at the in design, engineering and science, and with the winning design, l-r: Sir John Sorrell, Chairman, University of the Arts, London; Roma Agarwal, University of Glasgow. He will be invited were chaired by Ian Blatchford, Director structural engineer, WSP; Professor Mark Miodownik to attend the ceremony and has also of the Science Museum. FREng, Director, Institute of Making won £2,000.
Panasonic Trust facilitates the professional development sustainable development, natural Fellowship and technical upskilling of UK-based resources, materials, and the built engineers by providing funding environment. Five new Panasonic Trust Fellowships for the study of full-time master’s have recently been awarded to graduate degree courses in the following fields: engineers. This scheme supports and environmental technology, energy,
Business and (ATSE), visited the Academy. He met and Technological Sciences) conference with Senior Vice President, Professor in Beijing. Dr Finkel was keen to manufacturing Sir William Wakeham FREng to learn learn more about the UK’s strategy more about the Academy’s recent and in commercialising innovation and upcoming initiatives. emerging technologies, and the role Australian visit of the Academy in supporting this This meeting follows discussions in strategy. He was particularly interested On 23 September, Dr Alan Finkel, June between Dr Finkel and former in Academy activities, such as the Chancellor of Monash University and Academy President Sir John Parker Enterprise Hub, that could potentially be President of the Australian Academy of GBE FREng at the CAETS (International applicable to ATSE. Technological Science and Engineering Council of Academies of Engineering
10 Business and manufacturing the programme’s partners. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive; some bursary holders have been invited for interviews as a direct result of this networking event.
Announced by the Prime Minister in 2012, the programme was further recognised when selected bursary holders met the Deputy Prime Minister during his visit to the Farnborough Air Show 2014 Innovation Zone.
The scheme has completed its second year, again hitting its recruitment target. The final recruitment round begins in November 2014.
Aero MSc winners It also helps its new entrants to UK aerospace connect to potential employers The Aerospace MSc Bursary Scheme through a dedicated recruitment web brings new and higher-level skills into the portal. Selected bursary holders also met UK aerospace sector by awarding 500 industry leaders at the 2014 Farnborough Deputy Prime Minister the Rt Hon Nick Clegg MP MSc tuition fee bursaries over three years. Air Show, hosted by ADS and funded by meets with Aerospace MSc bursary holders
Call for applications/ For more information, please call Sylvia Academy nominations Hampartumian on 020 7766 0648 or email [email protected] roundup The following 2015 Academy awards are now open for nominations: 2015 MacRobert Award News of Fellows Major Project Award Supported by The Worshipful Company of For a team of engineers, based in the UK, Engineers Professor Polina Bayvel has been who have delivered a major engineering made an Honorary Doctor of Science project that has had a substantial impact Applications for the MacRobert Award by the University of South Wales on society. 2015 opened in October 2014: Professor Paul Cannon OBE has been elected as President of President’s Medal The MacRobert Award is the premier prize the International Union of Radio For an Academy Fellow who has for UK engineering innovation. It is given Science (URSI) contributed significantly to the annually for an outstanding innovation, Academy’s aims and work through their commercial success and benefit to the Iain Conn has been appointed Chief initiative in promoting excellence in community. Executive of Centrica engineering. Professor Antonio Gens has been The Award, first presented in 1969, awarded the Honour Medal of the Rooke Award honours the winning organisation with a Colegio de Ingenieros de Caminos For an individual, small team or project gold medal and the team members with based in the UK that has supported the a prize of £50,000. The presentation Dervilla Mitchell has been awarded Academy’s aims and work through their of the Award recognises the successful a CBE initiative in promoting engineering to development of innovative ideas in the public. engineering. It seeks to demonstrate Alan Mulally has been appointed to the Google board of directors the importance of engineering and Silver Medal the role of engineers and scientists in Dr Douglas Oakervee CBE and For outstanding personal contribution to contributing to national prosperity and Professor John Burland CBE have UK engineering by an early to mid-career international prestige. been elected Honorary Fellows of the engineer which results in successful Institution of Civil Engineers market exploitation. For further information please visit www.raeng.org.uk/prizes/macrobert Professor Sarah Springman CBE has Closing date: Monday 13 October 2014 or email [email protected] been appointed Rector of ETH Zurich
Closing date: 31 January 2015 Professor Chris Toumazou has been To make a nomination, visit: named Inventor of the Year (Research www.raeng.org.uk/grants-and-prizes/ category) by the European Patent Office prizes-and-medals
Academy roundup 11 New Hub support The winners of the Sir George McFarlane by live video link to the IET Glasgow Medal and the Sir Frank Whittle Medal Teacher Building The Academy’s Enterprise Hub has featured on BBC Radio Wales, BBC 1 received new support with the addition Wales (TV), Engineering & Technology, 17 November 2014 of Johnson Matthey and Atkins as Hub Electronics Weekly and Rail Magazine. New Fellows’ Briefing partners. They join Weir Group plc and Venue: Prince Philip House Petrofac as supporters of the Hub, which The young finalists for the QEPrize ‘Design is now providing mentoring and support to the Trophy’ competition were mentioned 17 November 2014 25 technology start-ups. The Enterprise in regional and trade publications New Fellows’ Dinner Hub has also benefited from renewed around the country, while the Academy’s Venue: Drapers’ Hall support from the ERA Foundation which contribution to the new computing In attendance: HRH The Duke of will provide additional core support as curriculum in schools has been mentioned Edinburgh and HRH The Princess Royal Hub activities and networks continue to in The Guardian and New Scientist. expand and develop. 14 January 2015 The Academy’s Research Fellows and New Year Reception 2015 Follow the Enterprise Hub on Twitter Leverhulme Trust Senior Research Fellows Speaker: Richard Deakin, CEO, NATS @RAEng_Hub have received particular attention, with Topic: Transport and infrastructure in-depth articles published in Network Venue: Prince Philip House Communications News, Nuclear Energy Book of Benefactors Insider, CIBSE Journal, The Southern Daily Echo, Engineering & Technology, A Book of Benefactors has been Optics, Reinforced Plastics, Myscience and Follow the Academy on Twitter: completed and will be on display in the LabTalk. Enterprise Fellows also featured @RAEngNews Fellows’ Room. It lists those Fellows and recently in The Engineer. Friends who contributed financially to the acquisition of 3-4 Carlton House Terrace The Academy’s activities in diversity have Edited by Emily Bick and its subsequent refurbishment – the been mentioned in The Independent, Email: [email protected] Forum for Engineering project – and The Guardian, the Evening Gazette, The Published by the Royal Academy of Engineering, wished to be acknowledged publicly. The Engineer. Articles on the recent Thinking Prince Philip House, 3 Carlton House Terrace, calligrapher was Sue Hufton and the like an engineer report appeared in The London SW1Y 5DG bookbinder, Flora Ginn. Formally opened Chemical Engineer, The Manufacturer and Tel: 020 7766 0600 www.raeng.org.uk by HRH Prince Philip, the Senior Fellow, in Plant & Works Engineering while the Elite The Royal Academy of Engineering October 2012, the Forum for Engineering Engineering Programme was covered by a promotes excellence in the science, art and practice of engineering. continues to prove a sound investment for wide range of regional outlets. the Academy and a first-class venue for its Registered charity number 293074 outreach and engagement activities. Fellows continue to offer their expertise to the press, with comments on BBC News Online and in publications including the Obituaries New Forum Partners Daily Mail on the Malaysia Airlines flight shot down in Ukraine and the Financial Two further companies – Urenco and Times on energy policy. Mr Wilfred Eastwood FREng died on GE – have signed on as Academy Forum 2 September 2014, aged 91. He was Partners. The Forum Partner programme, formerly Chairman, Eastwood and which supports an expanded series of Forthcoming events Partners (Consulting Engineers) Ltd. outreach and engagement events at the Forum for Engineering, is now supported This is a selection of Academy events. Mr Barry Millwood Grime FREng died on by eleven global engineering businesses. For a complete list, visit 10 April 2014, aged 81. He was formerly A full list of Forum Partners can be found www.raeng.org.uk/events Director, EGC International Ltd. at: www.raeng.org.uk/events/ forum-partners-3 14 October 2014 Dr David Michael Christopher Horsley From pixels to puddles: engineering FREng died on 13 September 2014, aged the gaming revolution 67. He was formerly Senior Technical Media roundup Speakers: Ian Bavistock of Tenshi Manager with BNFL and RAEng Visiting Partners, Mitu Khandaker-Kokoris of Professor in Principles of Engineering In interview with past President Sir John The Tiniest Shark and Jamie Shotton of Design at the University of Newcastle. Parker was published in The Sunday Microsoft Kinect Times, while interviews with Professor Venue: Prince Philip House Dr David Cameron Lindsay OBE FREng Dame Ann Dowling appeared in Times died on 7 September 2014, aged 93. He Higher Education, The Independent, The 29 October 2014 was formerly Chairman, Whatlings plc. Sunday Times Magazine and the Financial Hinton Lecture Times. Articles on our newly elected Speaker: Admiral Sir George Michael Mr John Caldwell Macfarlane CBE Fellows appeared in Business Weekly, Zambellas KVB, First Sea Lord and Chief FREng died on 10 August 2014, aged New Civil Engineer and other regional of the Naval Staff of the Royal Navy 83. He was formerly Chairman, Cummins and trade press. Venue: Prince Philip House and broadcast Engine Co Ltd.
12 Obituaries