Rolls-Royce holds 3rd EngD conference

Rolls-Royce held its third Engineering Doctorate Conference on 21st November at the Learning & Career Development Centre in Derby. This exhibition provided Rolls-Royce sponsored Engineering Doctorate (EngD) researchers to showcase their cutting-edge research, promoting the EngD scheme through innovation.

The Rolls-Royce EngD Network hosted this exhibition, providing a gateway to provide EngD researchers with an opportunity to communicate and collaborate with other EngD researchers across all sectors of Rolls-Royce. The Network was founded in 2012 by EngD researchers Oliver Nowers, Maria Felice and James Pettit, to promote awareness of the EngD scheme and the benefits that it has provided to Rolls-Royce.

Presentations were given by previous and current EngD researchers, ranging from a novel diamond rotary concept for grinding aerospace materials to the In-Situ Patch Repair of Thermal Barrier Coatings, revealing a high-level summary of background knowledge and ongoing research efforts that are being incorporated into their projects.

Invited keynote speakers included Frank Kirkland, Chair of Rolls-Royce Fellows and Chief Designer for Civil Aerospace, who has worked on a range of RR aerospace engines since he joined Rolls-Royce in 1981. Invited speaker Sam Turner, Chief Technical Officer of the AMRC with Boeing, who is responsible for technology strategy, capability growth and support to the AMRC departments and relationship management with major stakeholders. He had delivered high impact projects in manufacturing research and its application towards the industry.

Mark Jefferies, Chief of University Research Liaison presented insight into the effectiveness and strategic development of key academic research partnerships for Rolls-Royce. This includes the company's worldwide network of 31 University of Technology Centres engaging with hundreds of academics and researchers. Also presents the critical impact of collaborative research, developing the fundamental technology, tools and skills required by Rolls-Royce, maintaining scientific excellence.

EngD poster events were held at the Heritage Museum in addition to a variety of DTC stands, exhibiting their research with potential application to Rolls-Royce technologies. Universities including Nottingham, Bristol, Southampton, Surrey, and Birmingham have participated.

This event demonstrates the continued commitment from Rolls-Royce to invest in the next-generation of engineering challenges, and the value of the EngD programme for the transfer of skills and development from academia towards the industry.

(contributed by Lee Pardoe, EngD research engineer at Southampton University)

EngD alumnus appointed CEO at Edinburgh Instruments

An EngD alumnus from the Centre for Doctoral Training in Applied Photonics, Dr Rodger Fenske has been appointed CEO of Edinburgh Instruments (read more). Rodger graduated in 2014 from the EngD programme at Heriot Watt, and - with six research engineers successfully completing EngD vivas this year - the CDT Applied Photonics alumni now total 61.

EngD alumni writes "UK Networks Transition Challenges - A Systems View"

A new report from the Energy Technologies Institute identifies the challenges facing energy networks for the UK to transition to a low carbon future. Written by a 2008 EngD graduate of the University of Manchester's manufacturing centre, Liam Lidstone (now Strategy Manager – Energy Storage and Distribution at ETI), the report, "UK Networks Transition Challenges - A Systems View", says:

• Existing networks will need to be adapted or enhanced, new efficient networks created and all networks integrated to optimise performance across different energy vectors

• Whole energy system thinking is critical – the challenge is one of knowing where, when and to what extent to enhance and adapt the UK’s energy networks

• Current governance and regulatory frameworks are simply not designed to enable and incentivise the radical transformation needed

(If you know of other EngD alumni or research engineers in the news, please let the AEngD know - email webadmin@aengd.org.uk)

EngD and leadership

Engineering leadership is not just about applying technical knowledge and experience; for some, it's also about learning about themselves.

On Tuesday 1st March 2016, Oliver Robinson, an EngD researcher at the University of Southampton attended an audience with HRH The Duke of Edinburgh at St James’ Palace to receive his Gold Duke of Edinburgh's certificate.

Hosted in the state apartments, where centuries of significant royal events have occurred, Oliver spoke with His Royal Highness about the voluntary role he undertook as the President of the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Society at the University.

Recognised by employers and institutions across the UK, the award sees young people below the age of 25 pursue a number of ‘sections’, individually tailored to provide a unique programme of self-development. Any young person below the age of 25 is eligible to enrol on the award, which progresses in stages from Bronze and Silver to Gold. Since it is the highest award offered by the DofE scheme, achievement of the Gold award is recognised by the Duke himself at the Palace.

All five sections must be satisfied in order to achieve the award, with the service, physical and skill sections taking around a year to complete.

Besides holding a voluntary role in a society at the university, Oliver learned to drive in order to satisfy the skill element and developed his rock-climbing ability in the physical section. He then spent a week of his residential activity in Dorset assisting with delivering a Scout summer camp for 14-18 year olds, before undertaking two four-day expeditions on concurrent summers: the practice in Dartmoor and the assessment in the Brecon Beacons.