On 27 November 2015 the Rolls-Royce Engineering Doctorate Network held its annual conference in Derby, building on the success of last year’s inaugural event with record attendance. Delegates from universities and Rolls-Royce plc were brought together, with representatives from across the UK and internationally, to explore how the Engineering Doctorate (EngD) scheme drives the progression of research and technology and why it is vital to the continual success of the company.
Held at the Learning and Career Development Centre in Derby, the conference was attended by 160 current and former EngD researchers, Rolls-Royce employees and university representatives. A comprehensive range of topics were presented, from materials science to systems engineering, demonstrating the far-reaching impact that the EngD scheme has across all aspects of the aerospace and nuclear sectors of the business.
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EngD Researcher Jack Palmer presenting on
advanced machining techniques. Photo – Rolls-Royce plc
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Work completed under the four-year EngD scheme is of equal academic rigor to more traditional PhD research, however the EngD researchers are typically based within Rolls-Royce for 75% of their time on the scheme to ensure their work is closely aligned to targeted applications within the company. This ensures that the world-leading research of UK universities is translated into novel, but practical solutions - the kind that Rolls-Royce needs to keep its competitive edge.
In the first plenary speech of the day, Prof. Ric Parker, Director of Research and Technology at Rolls-Royce, gave an engaging insight into the importance of the EngD scheme within the current structure of the business. He highlighted the sheer scale of the Rolls-Royce research network, demonstrating how it reaches across the UK and the rest of the world to utilize the best expertise available. This was made evident by the attendance of Rolls-Royce affiliated researchers from the University of Virginia, U.S., and the Brandenburg University of Technology Cottbus, Germany.
An EPSRC view
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Neil Bowering (EPSRC) speaking at the Conference.
Photo – Rolls-Royce plc |
Neil Bowering, the Associate Director of Business and User Engagement from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), discussed the strong current and historical links between EPSRC and Rolls-Royce. He promoted the vision of EPSRC: to invest in the next generation of talented scientists, allowing the UK to maintain and capitalise on its position as a leading research nation.
Neil said “EPSRC was really pleased to be part of the conference and more importantly enjoyed the event and the opportunity to network with some clearly very talented and knowledgeable researchers. The range of topics being investigated was great to see and a testament to the value that Rolls Royce places on supporting and engaging with talented individuals on excellent research.”
Technical presentations
Throughout the morning and afternoon sessions of the conference, EngD researchers at different stages of the 4 year doctorate presented on their technical work, with talks ranging from ‘Investigating the Role of Radiation in Corrosion within Simulated Light Water Reactor Conditions’ to ‘High Sensitivity Eddy-Current Arrays’. The conference also provided an excellent opportunity to learn about advancements in the state-of-the-art research and technology through partnerships with Rolls-Royce in the student poster exhibition and Doctoral Training Centre (DTC) exhibition. In total, 12 DTCs and 11 Universities were represented throughout the day, including Nanyang Technological University and the National University of Singapore, who sponsor students in collaboration with Rolls-Royce on the Industrial Postgraduate Placement (IPP) – an analogous qualification to the EngD.
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Rolls-Royce EngD researchers
at the conference. Photo – Rolls-Royce plc |
“Building on the success of the event last year was a huge achievement. The conference provides an important and unique opportunity for researchers from industry and academia to promote their work and to communicate in the context of the EngD.” said Richard Phillips, who led the organisation of the conference along with fellow EngD researchers Roy Brown, Jack Palmer and Fiona Schulz.
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The conference included an exhibition of the state-of-the-art
research conducted by affiliated research centres.
Photo – Rollo Jarvis. |
The conference was hosted by the Rolls-Royce EngD Network which aims to increase the collaboration and awareness of EngD researchers within the company. If you would like to know more information please contact Jack Palmer or other members of the network committee (contact details below).
Attendee Kyle Marshall, an EngD Researcher with the
IDC in Machining Science, said: ‘The quality of the student conference gave testament to the unique opportunity the EngD program provides, through the interaction with both industry and academia, to solve real world engineering challenges through post graduate research.’ Kyle Marshall, EngD Researcher with the IDC in Machining Science.
Rolls-Royce EngD Network Committee:
