If You Were An Engineer

Humans have only charted about 20% of the world’s oceans. But what if we could sustain longer periods underwater, giving us a chance to explore more of the unknown…  That’s what DEEP, an engineering company based in the UK, is working towards. In this episode, Director of Engineering, Rick Goddard, takes us through the company’s mission to make humans aquatic. Hear about DEEP’s cutting-edge technology, allowing us to spend extended periods underwater - a mission which could potentially reshape our understanding of the world's oceans and humanity itself. Also hear from Izzy, Olamide and Fiona from Thalas, who’ve been working on the ‘Tap of Germs’ - an exciting prototype developed as part of Primary Engineer’s If You Were An Engineer competition. Get in touch: Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/Leadersaward  Website: www.leadersaward.com/podcasts Your host is Ollie Guillou.

At just 17, Alice Goodwin had already earned her pilot’s licence, and now she’s soaring to new heights as an Avionics Design & Development Engineer at Virgin Atlantic. In this episode, Alice shares her journey from piloting planes to designing cutting-edge aviation systems, all while serving as an Aviation Ambassador for the UK government, where she inspires the next generation to explore careers in aviation. Plus, we hear from Breeshea Robinson and her team at Canterbury Christ Church University, who’ve been working on Charlie’s Handy Grey Water Pump as part of the 'If You Were An Engineer' competition. Get in touch: Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/Leadersaward  Website: www.leadersaward.com/podcasts Your host is Ollie Guillou.

Networking opportunities, guidance and feedback - just some of the benefits of mentorship for engineers in the making.  In this episode, Paris Amy, a mechanical engineer at Cummins Turbo Technologies, explains why mentorship gives engineers a crucial leg-up, how you can go about finding your own mentor, plus she explains how mentorship changed the path of her own career, for the better.  We also highlight one of the standout teams from Primary Engineer's "If You Were An Engineer" competition - a sports shoe with interchangeable soles called the "switch-a-boot", created by the team at Manchester Metropolitan University’s Print City. Get in touch: Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/Leadersaward  Website: www.leadersaward.com/podcasts Your host is Ollie Guillou.

Would you trust an automated aeroplane to take you to your next holiday destination? Or to deliver your latest internet order? While fully automated flights are still on the horizon - engineers, mechanics, and pilots are busy exploring what the future of aviation could look like. In this episode, Boeing test pilot Ben Lewis shares his unique insights into the future of flight, including the impact of automation and the evolving roles of engineers and pilots. Plus, hear from Ian Gent, Tim Ramsbottom and Sam Hargrave from the prototype team at GKN Aerospace, who have been working on the Clean Water Access Bot (CWAB) for the 'If You Were An Engineer' competition. Get in touch: Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/Leadersaward  Website: www.leadersaward.com/podcasts Your host is Ollie Guillou.

With a significant skills gap, an ageing workforce, and insufficient numbers of students entering the field, it’s no secret that the UK is facing a huge shortage of engineers.  Renowned engineer and writer Chelvi Nava believes the industry is in crisis. In this episode she discusses the urgent actions needed to address this shortage and shares how she, through her project ‘Engineering Everyone’, is inspiring the next generation of engineers.  We also meet Dave Knapton who’s been leading the prototype team at Sunderland University working on the “Self Regulation Bracelet”, one of the winning entries of the If You Were An Engineer competition.  Get in touch: Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/Leadersaward  Website: www.leadersaward.com/podcasts Your host is Ollie Guillou.

LEGO bricks allow children and adults alike to bring their wildest imaginations to life. But the creative process begins long before the LEGO bricks reach their hands. Scores of designers spend months creating and designing awe-inspiring sets, like the LEGO Death Star, and we get to meet one of them. In this episode, we chat to James May, a former LEGO designer known for his incredible contributions to the world of LEGO. Join us as we delve into James' creative process, his journey into the world of design, and the magic behind turning simple bricks into extraordinary creations. We also hear from members of the School of Engineering at the University of Edinburgh about the “Glowbot," one of the winning entries in the If You Were an Engineer competition. Get in touch: Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/Leadersaward  Website: www.leadersaward.com/podcasts Your host is Ollie Guillou.

With the advent of smartphones and the latest generation of consoles - video games are reaching more people than ever. And it’s an industry which continues to grow, thanks to the brilliant minds of engineers. Chris Van der Kuyl co-founder and chairman of 4J Studios, tells us how his team helped bring one of the world’s biggest video games, Minecraft, to the masses. He explores the link between video game creation and engineering and tells us what to expect from the future of the gaming industry. We also hear from Jeremiah Ohenhen who’s studying mechanical engineering at Ulster University in Belfast who’s been working on the “careful kettle” proto type for the If You Were An Engineer competition.  Thanks to Niamh from Westfield School for sharing her engineering idea with us. Get in touch: Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/Leadersaward⁠ Website: www.leadersaward.com/podcasts Your host is Ollie Guillou.

It’s no secret that historically fewer women have taken up STEM subjects such as maths, physics and engineering - but former Miss England and Miss World Europe Jessica Gagen has made it her mission to inspire more young girls to pursue a career in science. Hear how she juggles her own career as an aerospace engineer with her work as a pageant queen, why she’s keen to show young girls they can do it all, and how she’s hoping to become the first beauty queen to make it to space! Emily’s super seed spreader - the Germinator - is our prototype of the week. We hear from Tim Woolman from the University of Southampton who’s been working on the idea for the If You Were An Engineer competition.  And thanks to young Tommy for sharing his engineering idea with us. Get in touch: Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/Leadersaward Website: www.leadersaward.com/podcasts Your host is Ollie Guillou.

Kites: A toy consisting of a light frame with thin material stretched over it, flown in the wind at the end of a long string. That’s what most of us think of when we hear the word ‘kite’ - but what if it could conjure up images of an egg that transforms into a massive flying dragon puppet. Carl Robertshaw explains how he’s changed the way we not only think about kites, but how we use them in theatre, art, architecture and fashion. He shares some of the highlights from his career as a multi kite flying champion who now works on huge events like the Superbowl. Plus, we hear how some of his kites have even made it into space! Dr Jonathan Browning and Dr Siofra Frost from the School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science at Queen's University Belfast tell us about the prototype they’ve been working on for the If You Were An Engineer competition - a moving solar panel.  And thanks to young Cara for sharing her engineering idea with us. Get in touch: Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/Leadersaward Website: www.leadersaward.com/podcasts Your host is Ollie Guillou.

As it continues to beam back incredible images of the universe, it’s clear the James Webb Telescope is revolutionising our understanding of the cosmos. But there’s still so much more to see, so it’s integral it keeps on running for years to come. That’s where Elysia Starr and her team come in. Elysia is the Fault Management Lead for the JWST. In this episode she tells us what’s involved in maintaining the Webb, she tells us about some of the most innovative tech that’s gone into the creation of the telescope, and she explains what excites her most about the project. James Joseph from the School of Science and Engineering at the University of Dundee tells us about the prototype his team has been working on for the If You Were An Engineer competition - Bianca’s sunlight machine. Thanks to Zach and Megan from Sacred Heart Primary School in Bellshill in Scotland for sharing their engineering ideas with us. And if you have an answer to any of our problems from the series send your thoughts to [email protected] or comment on Twitter @Leadersaward.Your host is Ollie Guillou. Head over to our website www.leadersaward.com/podcasts to access loads of bonus and behind the scenes content.