NSIRC hosts 2019 conference of industrial PhD & MSc research

Wed, 03 July, 2019

Over 180 delegates, including representatives from companies such as BAE Systems, Boeing and BP, attended NSIRC’s largest conference to date on 2 & 3 July.

Also in attendance were NSIRC’s academic partners, which included some of the UK’s top universities, along with researchers from TWI Ltd and fellow students.

The conference saw over 60 NSIRC PhD students and 15 MSc students present their engineering research, with topics including advanced materials/coatings, novel joining methods, innovative monitoring technologies, data analytics, robotics, advancing non-destructive testing (NDT) methods and many more.

NSIRC director, Tat-Hean Gan, said he was “proud of how the conference has grown over the past 7 years, with more cultures and ethnicities being represented”. In an industry dominated by men, NSIRC can proudly say that 30% of the students are female, which is higher than the national average for STEM-related industries. Tat-Hean also expressed how the work of the NSIRC students “helps shed light on the state of the industry and how the next generation can apply their skills in the workplace”.

NSIRC 2019 Keynote Speakers...

The conference attracted a number of highly skilled and experienced industry professionals, including the three keynote speakers; Elizabeth Donnelly, CEO of the Women’s Engineering Society, David Holmes, Manufacturing Director in BAE Systems Air Sector, and Alasdair Coates, CEO of the Engineering Council.

Alasdair, who covered topics such as advanced materials and coatings, novel joining methods and innovative monitoring technologies, noted that the conference is, “an excellent opportunity to hear about different innovations and new concepts”. He added that the conference “chimes well with the Engineering Council’s desire to promote and enhance the engineering competence within an environment of innovation and ethics”.

As well as giving presentations, the delegates and speakers offered professional advice to the students.

 The NSIRC 2019 Award winners...

• Best MSc poster presentation

Winner: Marcelo Guirro

Runner up: Rahma Said

• Best PhD poster presentation 

Winner: Mason Rowthbottom

Runner up: Amna Asad

• Best 2nd year oral presentation

Winner: Madie Allen

Runner up: Pedro Santos

• Best 3rd year oral presentation

Winner: Alexandre Sabard

Runner up: Cui Er Seow

• Industrial impact award 

Winner: Dibakor Boruah

Runner up: Angelo La Rosa

Runner up: Gowtham Soundarapandian

Runner up: Andrew Sandeman

 

"An excellent opportunity to hear about different innovations and new concepts"