Excellent research standards impact the engineering sector
Published Monday, May 4, 2020
Over 80% of research activity across the engineering schools in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Leeds is rated as either ‘World-Leading’ or ‘Internationally Excellent’ by the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF).
But what does that mean in practice?
The University of Leeds has quickly responded to the needs of the COVID-19 global crisis. A collaboration between clinical staff, engineers and physicists at Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) and academics and technologists at the University has developed a way to convert sleep apnoea machines into ventilators to treat people with COVID-19. Simply, the modification of the machine allows oxygen to flow directly to the patient, and there are thousands of sleep apnoea machines that can be modified across the NHS. Read more
Additionally, an ongoing project aims to make concrete greener for a sustainable future. A team of engineers at Leeds, led by Professor Susan Bernal Lopez are developing and studying low-carbon cements with the aim to create sustainable cement alternatives which can be produced from wastes or by-products from different industrial, mining or agricultural processes. If successful, this could reduce the CO2 emissions associated with the infrastructure sector and turn waste products into valuable resources. Read more
Finally, the University of Leeds is also developing an ‘intelligent’ manufacturing process to transform the way medicines and other chemicals are produced. Generating this new technology to shorten the manufacturing development process time safely is very valuable as it can take more than 10 years to get a new medicine from lab bench to commercial use. Digitally optimising the manufacturing process in this way also benefits the environment, as better tuned processes mean less waste and greater yield of drug or chemical products from initial ingredients. Generating this new technology to shorten the manufacturing development process time safely is very valuable. Read more
Evidently, the University of Leeds is leading impact-orientated research to solve complex problems and tackle wider global issues, displaying excellence in the research conducted.
These are just some of the examples from a much wider breadth of ongoing research expertise at the University of Leeds.
Benefits of a Research-Led Course
Research is fundamental to learning the very latest knowledge in the engineering sector.
At the University of Leeds, students are exposed to research and teaching expertise across the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences; from the School of Chemical and Process Engineering, Electronic and Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Civil Engineering.
As a student on a research-intensive course, you can benefit from the latest thinking in your specific discipline and beyond. You are also part of a community of world-leading researchers across disciplines, as well as a network of engineers across the world, all tackling different issues in their field.
Learning through research equips you as an engineer to be a lifelong learner and take on a range of demanding roles in the future. Your own research as part of the course will allow you to make your own contributions to advancing knowledge in your specific discipline and organisation, further enriching your teaching and learning environment.
For example, on our online Engineering Management MSc, the Engineering Management Project module specifically enables you to demonstrate your knowledge in an individually led academic study. It encourages you to explore, analyse, and innovate upon existing critical theory and practice. Simply put, you will investigate an academic research topic in depth or apply new knowledge and skills to solve a live business problem.
Do you want to be at the forefront of engineering technology, leading a team of engineers to shape the future of the engineering sector? There are many routes into Engineering Management roles across various sectors, but how do you get there?
Find out more about the online Engineering Management MSc at the University of Leeds.
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