Innovation & Change in Engineering

The School of Engineering is delighted to be able to welcome members of the public as well as alumni and internal staff and students to attend a new lecture series this term, thanks to the support of one of our alumni, Andrew Little.

All lectures are on a Thursday, commencing at 16:00 (tea from 15:45) in Social Sciences building, room S.021.

The series addresses the role of Engineering in the new “re‑balanced” post‑crunch world:

• What kind of Engineering does the world want?
• How can we generate the hoped-for resurgence in manufacturing?
• How do we create an environment where innovations and discoveries happen?
• How can we create the sort of products which people want to buy?
• How will the professional role of the Engineer change?

	Tomorrow’s process manufacturing 4 November 2010 Roger Benson, Benson Consulting Process manufacturing is key in the food, beverage, oil, gas, chemical, pharmaceutical, consumer packaged goods and biotechnology industries. Commercial and environmental pressures will change these industries radically in the future – what kind of future will this be? Download abstract
	“We don’t know who discovered water, but we know it wasn’t fish” 11 November 2010 Julian Evans, University College London An attempt to reconcile education and creative thought. Our education has prepared us for making discoveries but has it also inhibited the discovery process? Download abstract
	Innovation and the role of the universities 2 December 2010 Ben Mayo, Consultant and RAEng Visiting Professor Encouraging creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship in UK business. How can universities best contribute? Are the new “Technology and Innovation Centres” proposed by Hauser and Dyson and espoused by the coalition government the answer? Download abstract
	Engineering when people matter 9 December 2010 David Brown, IChemE, Engineering UK & AWM Elegant and simple ways in which Engineering is improving both business and quality of life in some diverse places – together with one or two instances where application of sound engineering principles would have been a good idea... Download abstract
	Innovating for the future Date to be confirmed Raymond Oliver, University of Northumbria / Royal College of Art The convergence of biology, polymers and electronics as vital co-operative drivers for enhancing ambient assisted living Download abstract

Andrew Little is an alumnus of the School of Engineering who has made a huge success out of pioneering the automated supply of books for mail order companies such as Amazon. He has kindly funded the School to establish a lecture series of general engineering interest.

More information

Lecture booklet

School of Engineering