Driving engineering for a sustainable future at the University of Lincoln

Chamber President Mike Whitehead (left) thanks Dr Schaefer (centre), watched by Neville Reyner.

CUTTING-EDGE technology and research are crucial to creating a sustainable future for the Humber and Greater Lincolnshire.

This was the message from Prof Dirk Schaefer, the keynote speaker at the Chamber's November Networking Lunch held at Stallingborough Grange Hotel.

The head of Lincoln University's School of Engineering told Chamber members about their degree courses that will help shape our future, focusing on subjects such as mechanical engineering, electrical and electronic engineering, artificial intelligence, mechatronics and biomedical engineering.

The School of Engineering was founded in 2009 in partnership with Siemens Energy and is now housed on the Brayford in a purpose-built facility named after Isaac Newton. It has about 30 full-time academic staff, more than 60 colleagues in total, and keeps growing.

Prof Schaefer highlighted the Engineering School's research focus as Materials Science and Manufacturing, Intelligent Cyber-physical Systems and Industry 4.0, Net-Zero, Energy and Sustainability, Digital Health & Care and Biomedical Engineering, as well as Space and Defence Engineering. Their research programmes are designed to enable work on some of today's grand engineering challenges, fostering inter-disciplinary and cross-disciplinary work across the College of Science and beyond, and via research- and practice-led teaching, their students are prepared for successful careers in their chosen fields.

Talking about his background, he told his audience he started as an apprentice toolmaker at 16, which inspired him to become what he is today after studying for degrees and other qualifications. "I enjoy connecting the dots between engineering and science," he said.

Some of the School's sustainability-related research even expands beyond the boundaries of planet Earth, looking at how to capture and recycle space debris. As a region, we must remain competitive and look at alternative energies, advance the digitalisation of industrial systems and processes, create smart energy grids, and more, all of which will play their part in future sustainability.

Prof Schaefer said the educational landscape needs to adjust as well (upskilling, in particular), and he wants to work with companies to create and support the education, training, research and knowledge exchange required for the near tomorrow.

To that end, he invited any business interested in finding out more to contact him at dschaefer@lincoln.ac.uk.

Thanking Prof Schaefer for his presentation, Chamber President Mike Whitehead said: "Renewable energy production was key for our region's future, but asked why the area wasn't attracting more sustainable businesses?"

Prof Schaefer said: "Well, it does take some time. The University's growing research reputation in these key areas will help attract more investment and talent to the region (levelling up) and more students who want to study and work here later."

Neville Reyner commented: "The Engineering School has created an industrial advisory board to look at the specific demands of businesses to best align its research and education strategies with the region's needs.   The School of Engineering and the University of Lincoln stand ready to help address the decarbonisation challenges of the region and growing the renewables sector."

Summing up, Prof Schaefer said: "It was a pleasure to explain my vision to business leaders and exchange ideas, and I was pleased with how receptive the business community was to some of my out-of-the-box thinking, and I look forward to working with more businesses in the future."