Royal Academy of Engineering

Excellent to see the news this week from the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology that they are investing over 100 million pounds in five new UK quantum hubs. Quantum technologies could be a powerhouse for the UK according to our recent independent #Quantum Infrastructure Review, so seeing the government prioritise this industry is promising. However, it risks losing its lead if the UK fails to reinforce and expand on its existing quantum infrastructure. Our Executive Director of programmes Dr Andrew Clark says, "The UK is well placed to apply its unique expertise and commercial knowhow in key areas of quantum technology that could boost its future economy. Today’s announcement is a welcome boost to the UK’s quantum infrastructure – and it’s encouraging to see investment in five new hubs across the UK. The Academy has previously advocated for government to set a clearer strategic direction for quantum technologies in the UK, so it is pleasing to see applications in vital sectors like diagnostics, navigation, and communications signalled as priorities." Find out more about how the UK could become a quantum leader: https://lnkd.in/eX2WATpD

NEW: How do we equip engineers with the skills that the world needs? A new blog post from Professor Bashir M. Al-Hashimi CBE FREng FRS reflecting on the UK skills landscape, the #Engineers2030 policy project and the challenges facing the engineering profession. Read more: https://lnkd.in/evrFHiDG

It was a pleasure to be with partners from the National Engineering Policy Centre to launch two important recent reports in parliament this week. 📑 Policy priorities for the UK parliament: https://lnkd.in/eCD8abw6 ⚡ Rapid decarbonisation of the GB electricity system: https://lnkd.in/e_-9UYGp Joined by new MPs and colleagues from across the profession, we heard about the importance of engineering not just for major infrastructure projects in energy and transport, but in using a systems approach that underpins so many decisions at both a local and national level. Thanks in particular to our speakers: - The Lord Mair CBE, who introduced our policy priorities document as "as a blueprint for how we should approach the opportunities this parliament offers." - Baroness Brown Julia King DBE FREng FRS, who reminded us all that the government cannot deliver decarbonisation unless the public are engaged in the process. - Dr Hayaatun Sillem, who highlighted the valuable partnership underpinning the National Engineering Policy Centre, representing the expertise of 42 professional engineering organisations as a 'one stop shop' for policymakers. - Dr Simon Harrison, who outlined the "challenging but pragmatic" recommendations of our report on electricity grid decarbonisation, as co-chair of the working group that delivered it. - Michael Shanks MP, Energy Minister at the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero, who welcomed the report as the new government gets to work on decarbonising the GB electricity grid by 2030.

On 27 June, the Academy hosted a panel discussion on how engineering and systems approaches could support moving towards actionable solutions to wicked problems. We were delighted to have welcomed Dr Guru Madhavan, Professor Sarah Sharples and Professor Yasmin Merali as panellists. In discussion with Academy CEO Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, Panellists shared their experience and insight on how we should understand and navigate complexity through a systems approach. - Dr Guru Madhaven emphasized the need to move away from fixating on single-cause explanation for a complex problem. - Sarah Sharples suggested that understanding systems that work is just as important as understanding systems that do not function as intended. - Yasmin Merali offered her thoughts on why we need to understand systems dynamics when looking at wicked problems. Watch it in full now: https://lnkd.in/dtvPn8dj

A radical approach is required from government to drive the major infrastructure and system transformation needed to decarbonise the GB electricity system and provide clean power by 2030, according to a new report from our National Engineering Policy Centre (NEPC), published today. Compiled by an independent working group led by the Royal Academy of Engineering and supported by a grant from the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, the report highlights the need for government to clearly set out the value of this target as a national mission, in a similar way to the work of the vaccines task force. Delivery of a highly decarbonised electricity system by 2030 will require a sharp increase in offshore wind capacity, as well as ensuring delivery of the transmission network that is already in train, and expanding onshore wind and solar generation, particularly in places where the grid already has capacity to accept new generation. The report also highlights changes to a future energy system that, although they cannot be delivered before 2030, will still require action this decade - such as expanding carbon capture and storage projects and achieving progress on hydrogen transmission. Read the report and its recommendations in full: https://lnkd.in/eSiVxujn

We were delighted to welcome a delegation from the National Academy of Engineering of Korea this week for a forum on civil nuclear energy. It was a great opportunity to share best practice to support the aims of both our countries in achieving a low-carbon, secure energy supply. As well as exploring options for new nuclear, the talks and panels also discussed waste management and decommissioning, and the need for a skilled workforce to deliver ambitious targets. By working in partnership with other engineering academies, we're proud to use our convening power to access the very best international expertise, enhancing research capabilities and improving safety standards. Find out more about our international partnerships work: https://lnkd.in/eTQvCr_P

Ending eight months of training, and a two-week residential here in the UK, last Friday saw the 60 #InnovationLeaders of LIF Global graduate from the 2024 programme, joining our 1,400 alumni community. Driving global innovation, LIF Global empowers talented innovators who are making a positive impact in their communities with novel technologies to commercialise their innovation through opportunities of training, mentoring and networking. Fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, innovators upskilled their networking, leadership, and business negotiation tactics, solved UK-centred engineering challenges, heard advice for doing business in the UK, and learned tips on how to pitch with impact. Meeting their mentors in-person for the first time, innovators also participated in 1:1 sessions and speed mentoring workshops, and extended their network in the UK by showcasing to an audience of innovators, investors, mentors, government stakeholders, and members on the LIF Global 2024 Pitch Day. We’d like to extend our gratitude to our delivery partner Oxentia, the in-country partners of the programme, and to those who played a role in supporting the 2024 programme, including, but not limited to, Cambridge Cleantech, University of Birmingham, Rothamsted Enterprises, ScaleSpace, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Oxford City Council, and many more. Looking to find out more about the LIF Global programme? To visit the LIF Global webpage: https://lnkd.in/gPQsgJgG Alt text: Top: All 60 innovators stand on stage smiling, facing towards the camera. Bottom left: A room full of innovators sit listening to a presenter on stage at the front of the room, behind a lectern and in front of a presentation slide. Bottom right: A room full of innovators sit listening to someone present at the front, in front of a presentation slide, with bright neon lights behind.

“Access to clean and reliable energy for all is pivotal to the realisation of many global developmental targets. Climate change mitigation, poverty reduction, access to education, and healthcare are only some of many Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) whose attainment is dependent on improved access to cleaner energy. However, recent reports show that the world is still off-track to meeting SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy). In 2022, more than 685 million people globally had no access to electricity … These cross-cutting challenges – from energy access to clean cooking to economic growth and more – require holistic solutions built with a systems approach in mind.” Professor Franklin Jaramillo reflects on the recent Frontiers symposium in Colombia, in which we had some really insightful discussions on how systems approaches can help make a transition to more sustainable energy more just and more equitable. Today we're pleased to publish a summary report of the event, which examined themes of circularity, governance, locally appropriate solutions and collaboration. With more than 70 delegates from 23 nations across the world, the three-day symposium also helped form new collaborations that continue to explore these themes in countries all over the world and we're delighted to provide seed funding for five of these collaborative projects. Read the Professor Jaramillo's full comments, read the full write-up of the event, and learn about the projects it helped launch: https://lnkd.in/e6kyz2Ge The symposium was hosted by our Frontiers programmes in partnership with the Engineering X Safer Complex Systems mission (part of our collaboration founded with Lloyd's Register Foundation) and the Universidad de Antioquia., in Medellín, Colombia from 22-24 April 2024. #FrontiersDev #EngineeringX

Deadline extended for our #Engineers2030 consultation 🗓️ We need more consultation responses for our #Engineers2030 policy project. We're especially interested in feedback from those outside the engineering profession. Can you help? Submit a response now: https://lnkd.in/eJBh7cxE and share the call with your networks. Engineers 2030 is a policy project examining how engineering knowledge, skills and behaviours are changing in the 21st century and what is needed to attract, educate, recruit and support the engineers and technicians of the future. We are seeking input from: 1. Educators across all phases of the education system 2. Students in education and training 3. Practising engineers and technicians 4. The engineering profession 5. Employers 6. Training providers 7. Policymakers across the four nations of the UK

How will technological revolutions change how we use diagnostics in healthcare? How do we ensure that those new innovations are implemented to benefit everyone in society? Our next #InnovationIncoming online event, chaired by BBC Technology Editor Zoe Kleinman with panellists Dr Ken Sutherland FREng FRSE, Dr Julien Reboud and Professor Stavroula Balabani, is looking at the interface between engineering innovation and medicine. Guests will hear expert insight and predictions about the impact of engineering and technology on the future of healthcare, and have an opportunity to put forward their own questions. Sign up now: https://lnkd.in/eXuvXBZ9 [Description: Promotional graphic for a Royal Academy of Engineering event titled "Innovation Incoming" featuring a robotic hand illuminated in blue, against a dark background. The text announces an online event focusing on transforming health diagnostics with tech on 23 July from 6pm to 7pm.]