Welcome to the Community Insights blog!

This blog features posts from and about the EngX community. Want to contribute? Read our blogging guide to help you get started.

  • Latest speaker update: Big Data Analytics For Smart Power Networks

    Today it is the turn of Panos Louvieris, who will talk on "Empowering Renewable Energy Prosumers through Big Data Analytics" About the speaker: Panos Louvieris is Professor of Information Systems in the Department of Computer Science at Brunel University London. He is Research Director of the Big Data Analytics Cluster, leads the Digital Economy and Cybersecurity research groups and is a member of the Smart Power Networks theme at Brunel. Synopsis Renewable energy prosumers are citizens who consume and produce renewable energy for self-consumption or to sell back to a grid. As more and more households embrace renewable energy sources, the question that nevertheless remains is how prosumers maximise their pecuniary benefits from exchanging their micro-generated renewable energy surpluses, say…

    Joanne Longton
    Joanne Longton

  • Spotlight On Project Controls Network Exec Member: Jason Wharton

    I can't believe we are nearing the end of October already, as I hand the blog over to Jason Wharton.   Jason is our latest recruit to the exec team and currently lives in Australia.   Below he tells us more: I entered the engineering world as a 16 year old, straight out of school and into an apprenticeship in electrical and instrumentation engineering. Back then, when the world was still in black and white, a dual skilled apprenticeship was uncommon and these sorts of schemes heralded the demarcation of skills that overlapped within the industrial context. Automation was really changing the way businesses did things and a new thinking was required. My friends went to college and university and I got the chance too, albeit on a part time basis, but the difference was I got paid and I saw first…

    Joanne Longton
    Joanne Longton

  • Factories Of The Future: IET TechBite

    The following is an excerpt from the IET's latest TechBite (bitesize technical insights) - Factories of the future, produced by the IET Control and Automation Network. You can view the full article and download a free PDF. The next big revolution in manufacturing – coined ‘Industry 4.0’ – is underway, as we move from an analogue age into a fully digital one. Factories of the future will reach new levels of automation, with integration of systems stretching far beyond the shop floor into the office and supply chain. And the role of engineers and operators looks set to change dramatically in order to meet developing customer demands for a more agile and flexible service.   Although Industry 4.0 may be the future, the truth is that many of the underlying technologies have been around for some…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Repair Cafe

    Cambridge and the local villages have several thriving groups that help the community through the operation of Repair Cafes .  On Saturday 22 October I attended a repair cafe in Waterbeach, following an invite by IET member Paul Bearpark.  The morning whizzed by, helping a wide range of people by repairing radios, replacing thermal fuses in greenhouse heaters, getting a Nespresso machine operating and finally assembling a set of flat pack steps for an elderly lady.  Fortified by coffee and cake, I enjoyed the event and was pleased to be able to help members of the community and help reduce the amount of kit going to landfill.  If you are a Technician or Engineer able to use hand tools and a meter, you can certainly be of use at a repair cafe.  The next event in the Cambridge area is at the…

    David Blake
    David Blake

  • Global Challenge For 2016/17

    Kindly note the IET Young Processionals have published information online  on this year’s Global Challenge. Information can be found in this link Looking forward to see s tudents and young professionals f rom the Europe Middle East and Africa Region (EMEA) joining this challenge as to  develop virtual solutions to real world problems.   Christos Christou CC EMEA Communications Group cchristou28@theiet.org

    Christos Christou
    Christos Christou

  • Phoebe's Thoughts: Insights From V&I's Events

    Now that Summer is over and the academic year has started it’s the perfect time for the Network’s Executive team to reflect upon the network’s successes during the last session and put the final touches in place for our programme of events until December 2016. The main theme that ran through the network’s events last session was developments in vision technology for healthcare applications.   We kicked started the session off with the inaugural IET International Conference on Technologies for Active and Assisted Living (TechAAL) held at Kingston University and organised by Dr Francisco Florez Revuelta. It is a fact that many European countries have ageing populations; individuals who wish to lead active, independent, and fulfilling lives for as long as possible and TechAAL created a forum for…

  • Podcasts from IBC 2016

    From our time at this year's International Broadcasting Convention (IBC), we sat down with major players in the multimedia space including Irdeto’s Andrew Wajs, CTO, who discussed the  current content piracy landscape and content protection ; and Nagravision's Christopher Schouten, Senior Director Product Marketing, about  threat and opportunity in the paid TV arena, and the future of 4k delivery to the consumer . You can now listen to all of the interviews  here . We would love to hear what you think!

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • YWE Finalist, Emma Wilding On BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire

    Emma Wilding spoke live on BBC Radio Coventry & Warwickshire earlier talking about her journey into engineering, her job and the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards. it starts at 2 hours 13 mins Listen to the interview...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Winner Of The TPN Best Poster Competition

    The Satellite Systems & Applications TPN are pleased to announce that the winner of their  'Game Changing Satellite Applications' Best Poster competition is Paul Iliffe. Paul is a mechanical and aerospace engineer with a passion for spaceflight. In 2007 he obtained a 1 st class MEng in Mechanical Engineering from Imperial College London, UK, with one year at the Technical University of Aachen, Germany. Thereafter, he undertook his PhD at the Tokyo Institute of Technology, Japan, where his research focussed on orbital formation flying. Following the completion of his PhD in 2011 he worked as an engineer at British Airways Engineering in London, where he gained experience in a variety of departments and projects such as the application of Continuous Improvement and Lean principles in aircraft…

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

  • Dare to be Different

    Susie Wolff and The Motor Sports Association – governing body of UK motorsport – have joined forces to launch Dare To Be Different, a high-profile new initiative that will inspire, connect and celebratewomen who work in every aspect of motor sport. Read more... Watch the Video...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Cyber Resilient Infrastructure Report - Securing Our Critical National Infrastructure And Defence Capabilities

    Atkins has just published the Cyber Resilient Infrastructure Report - Securing our critical national infrastructure and defence capabilities. Download a copy here . It is particularly relevant to those in the critical national infrastructure, defence, government and national security sectors, but has been designed to provide a strategic and practical introduction to the topic that will apply to the majority of organisations. This research involved interviews with the leadership of a wide range of industry-leading organisations including Airbus Defence & Space, Anglian Water, CREST, Marshall Aerospace & Defence Group, TechUK, Ministry of Defence Joint Forces Command, and the UK Space Agency. The results help paint a picture of these organisations' top security concerns. They also provide a confidence…

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • History Weekend Conference Prague May 2017 - deadline extended for Call for Papers

    40th IEE/IET HISTORY WEEKEND CONFERENCE : PRAGUE 6-7 th  MAY 2017 CALL FOR PAPERS - DEADLINE EXTENDED Papers are invited on the history of engineering and technology for presentation at the 40th IEE/ IET weekend history conference to be held in Prague in the Czech Republic 6-7th May 2017. Papers which discuss the history, early or recent, of any engineering or technology specialism relevant to the IET , or the personalities and companies who have contributed to the rich heritage of the engineering profession will be considered. The organisers hope to attract papers relating not just to Central Europe but, recognising the global reach of the IET, any area of the world. Selected papers will be presented on Saturday 6 th  May, with optional technical visits on Sunday 7 th  May. For those who plan…

    Anne Locker
    Anne Locker

  • Exploring the future challenges and opportunities for Engineering Manufacture

    "The challenges faced by manufacturing research, education and skills requirements, and our knowledge capability base in 2075 will be influenced and informed by organic and disruptive technologies and systems, new materials, changes in our life styles and values, and global political and societal developments. To be suitably prepared, we need to imagine the future to plan the present. A new global forum to discuss very long term manufacturing challenges (i.e. Manufacturing Futures) for the UK and other countries is essential for prosperity and sustainability. Our collective views on Manufacturing Futures will shape our research direction in the short and long term, better understand our user requirements and drivers, ensure tailored and timely practical solutions, and support innovation in…

    Louis Redding
    Louis Redding

  • Jaguar Landrover - Technical Specialist Conference 2016 - British Motor Museum

    Jaguar Landrover continues to be a UK manufacturing success story as it develops its vehicle range employing state of the art technologies relative to engineering systems which include: Body Structures Joint and bonding Technology Aluminium Body Structures Composities and Laminates Carbon Fibre Novel manufacturing technologies Propulsion Hybrid and electric research Compition relating to Formula E Autonomy Sensors, systems, algorthims  Chassis and Suspension/Braking Systems Brakes and electrified Powertrian Interfaces The one day event brings together key technical engineering specialists within JLR from across the organisation to discuss the current state of the art in the above (not exhaustive) and presents benchmarked positions. I will be particularly interested in the Project Management…

    Louis Redding
    Louis Redding

  • Manufacturing 2075 Symposia - Cranfield University 7th December 2016

    Manufacturing is facing ever greater challenges as the UK seeks to retain and build upon its competive position.  I am looking forward to attending this symposia and to hear what leading academics think are some of the key major challenges and opportuniites that present themselves.  The findings of the workshops in the afternoon will be or particular interest and will form part of a paper that I am writing which will be submitted to peer review early in January 2017 Confirmed Speakers Professor Rajkumar Roy - Director of Manufacturing, Cranfield University Professor Akihisa Inoue - Director of the International Institute for Green Materials, Josai University, Japan Dr. Bernard H. Foing - Executive director ILEWG, ESA ESTEC, The Netherlands Professor Steve Evans - Institute for Manufacturing…

    Louis Redding
    Louis Redding

  • Crash and learn: Why it’s safety first when it comes to testing vehicles and preventing accidents – Emma Wilding, Vehicle Safety Engineer (Degree Apprentice) at Jaguar Land Rover

    Emma Wilding is a Vehicle Safety Engineer (Degree Apprentice) at Jaguar Land Rover who has been shortlisted for the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards 2016. She crashes cars for a living, testing the latest car safety features. Emma studied for a foundation degree at Coventry University before going on to start her Bachelor of Engineering at the University of Warwick. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Engineer a Better World

    The IET's campaign to inspire more parents to encourage their children to become engineers. For more information and to watch the video...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • Technical colleges flop as they fail to recruit pupils

    Pioneering schools set up to improve technical education are facing closure because they cannot recruit enough students Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • UK engineering can benefit from Brexit - but skills are in short supply, industry warns

    Brexit offers Britain’s engineering sector the chance to reinforce its position as an industrial powerhouse but the UK’s exit must be carefully negotiated not to harm the industry, according to a leading trade body. The Royal Academy of the Engineering has unveiled a heavyweight analysis of the opportunities and threats presented by the result of the referendum on Britain’s EU membership - including the need to maintain a supply of skilled labour. Professor Dame Ann Dowling, president of the academy, said: “This is a critical time for Britain’s engineering sector. Plans for a new industrial strategy announced after the referendum are a really positive indication that government ‘gets’ how important engineering is to the economy. - The Telegraph Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • IET TT LN 2016 To 2019 Executive Members Elections

    Trinidad and Tobago IET Local Network Board will be elected for the 2016-2019 term at the next Annual General Meeting (AGM). The AGM will be held at Grand Bazaar, Food Court, Trinidad 10 AM on Saturday 19th November 2016 . Offices: Chair Vice-Chair, 2 posts, 1 Senior Vice Chair and 1 Junior Vice Chair Treasurer Secretary Ordinary Members (2) Proposals for offices: A member can only be proposed for one office. The member being proposed must be a member in good standing and must sign the nomination form agreeing to hold the office if elected. There must be a proposer and seconder, they must sign the nomination form and must be members in good standing . Each member proposed to hold office must provide a brief CV detailing their experience that qualifies the member to hold the particular office…

    Jason Robert Rameshwar
    Jason Robert Rameshwar

  • Steering Group Members 2016/17

    The Functional Safety TPN Steering Group was confirmed at the Annual Open Meeting on 12 October 2016.  The Group is always interested to hear from other individuals who are keen to volunteer to help organise activities with the TPN.  We are also looking for individuals who would be interested in joining the Technical Advisory Panel for the Network.   Brian Penfold  Chairman James Inge (MoD) Deputy Chairman, Webmaster John Canning IET Policy Panel / ISA Working Group Graham Jolliffe (Jolliffe Associates) SCSC representative Ron Bell (ESC)   Andy German (Atkins)   Mark Nicholson (University of York)   Carl Sandom   Space is available for other Steering Group Members and Technical Advisory Panel (TAP) members. Contact Lynsay Callaghan for more details ( lcallaghan@theiet.org ).

    James Inge
    James Inge

  • Who are the YWE Finalists for 2016?

    Gemma Dalziel, Nadia Johnson, Bethan Murray, Jenni Sidey and Emma Wilding have all been selected as finalists. Read more...

    Former Community Member
    Former Community Member

  • How To Win A Job Reflection

    "How to Win a Job" was a social event rounding speakers to bring insight into the gruelling task of tackling job interviews. The event was organised by the Young Professional section of IET VIC and targeted at students looking at the job market. Speakers included recruitment consultants and industry professionals with vast experiences in recruitment sector.   Whether starting out looking for internships, vac work or your first industry job, where do you begin? Con Moraitis (Senior Co-Ord, Student Career Services) suggested to students explore resources at their universities. Career counselling, resume development services and skills development workshops are some of the resources student might find handy. Additionally Career Expos and Employer presentations are also likely stops to narrow down…

    Evan Barrett
    Evan Barrett

  • Railway Network - Welcome To The New 2016-17 Session From The Community Manager

    We started the new 2016-17 session with a change of leadership in the Railway Network.  Jon Hemsley,  Head of Fleet Project Engineering (Services), WMA Engineering, Bombardier Transportation has recently handed over the Chairman’s role to Dr Martyn Chymera ,  Maintenance Performance and Reliability Manager, Crossrail Operations Team, London Rail, Transport for London. I'd like to thank Jon for the help and support he has given me during his time in office and welcome Martyn to his term as Chairman.    During September, we had a couple of excellent visits, one to the South West Trains-Network Rail Training Campus at Basingstoke, organised by Peter Sheppard     Peter and the other participants on the visit seem to have had an excellent time on the simulators and exploring the other training facilities…

    Deborah-Claire McKenzie
    Deborah-Claire McKenzie

Community Rules & Guidelines