UHI Inverness Head STEAM Coordinator & Campus Technologist (2023 to Now)
Acting as UHI Inverness’ Head STEAM Coordinator and Campus Technologist, my current responsibilities involve:
Line managing and project managing UHI Inverness’ new STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) outreach department, managing our current STEAM mentors and developers, leading engagement with local schools, colleges and events, supporting academic, business and social outreach for UHI Inverness.
I also support campus developments in new high-technological development and research (Robotics, Additive Manufacture, Circular Economy and Renewables) on Campus.
2023 |
UHI Inverness Engineering Associate of Research (2022 to 2023)
In 2023 in my capacity as UHI Inverness’ Engineering Associate of Research, I led 3 major projects to completion:
UHI STEM Equity Project
Circular Economy in Engineering Technology
Belladrum Music Festival (UHI STEM)
UHI STEM Equity Project
Using my prior STEM background with GCU and Entrotec, I discussed with UHI a critical area of concern regarding engineering student demographics; underrepresentation of young women in Apprenticeships.
After discussing the issue with both UHI and SDS, I sought to challenge this issue by developing and managing a high publicity project which aimed to encourage women and MtF trans women to move into STEM related training and apprenticeships after secondary school.
This initially involved developing funding streams and fostering collaborations between industry & public sector organisations towards Stem Engagement. Subsequently, I developed a series of events for this project with concurrently developing a team of new and inspiring STEM ambassadors, trained to provide workshop provision. This project subsequently led to my development of a major case study which has been referenced and highlighted by various Scottish educational establishments.
“STEM Equity is an Egalitarian idea that embodies the fact that regardless of a person’s race, nationality, gender or sexuality, we all can succeed in STEM Education & Work equally”
Published Case Study
Circular Economy in Engineering Technology (CEET++)
A project which aimed to integrate Engineering Technology learning with Circular Economic education.
Towards that end, I subsequently researched relevant content applicable to engineers (ISO14064, GHG Protocol and Sustainable R&D) that should be developed within the syllabus. With the support of Gavin Tweedie of Net Zero Nation and Shane Healy of Invergordon Distillery, I developed a course integration project which developed into the Highland’s first Fuel Change Challenge with Whyte & MacKay.
Building upon W&M Invergordon’s innovations in Sustainability and high attention to safety with their Green Print Initiative, UHI Students were allowed to join W&M in developing innovative solutions to current engineering and sustainability problems.
Personally, this project helped me to develop a strong network for external development with local renewable research organisations such as Powerhouse (OCF) & Highland Council’s Climate Change Department, alongside developing as one of UHI’s primary Circular Economic Champions.
“The Circular Economy and general Sustainability is an area that should be paramount to new engineers and technologists; to improve efficiency, carbon reduction and reduce costs in Manufacturing… While also saving the planet!”
Belladrum Music Festival
Through a high-profile project conducted to design a new music venue for Inverness (RSR), a number of Inverness and Highland music organisations got involved to endorse the design and project for Inverness.
A one of the organisations to endorse that project was Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival, who also requested our presence at the 2023 festival as a STEM organisation. Towards that end, I developed and led a project to bring UHI to Belladrum.
As the project lead, my view was to highlight the best of all that has been achieved through my projects since Covid (from Equity in STEM, Additive Manufacturing, and Circular Economy). We subsequently brought all of these technologies to Belladrum, with our cohort of Student STEM Ambassadors.
With a bit of a flair for showmanship, we ended up wowing the audiences at Belladrum and eventually ended up hitting some of the highest engagement ratings for our social media and public campaigns ever.
“Art brings Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths together.”
Best Cultural and Environmental Award 2023 (Rose Street Roundhouse)
Combining the knowledge and experience I gained through research into the circular economy, sustainability, and mixing that with my experience as a project manager and design engineer, I developed an innovative concept for a new type of ultra circular economic venue which will allow guests and music lovers to enjoy their favourite acts without impacting the world’s carbon.
Up against 1000 other competition entries and after a round of grilling by leading Highland Business owners, I was awarded the Best Cultural and Environment business award for 2023 by the Royal Bank of Scotland and Engineers in Business Fellowship.
“By harnessing the power of creativity, you don’t need to sacrifice the arts to save the world!””
| 2022
UHI Inverness Engineering Associate of Research (2022 to 2023)
My first tasks as UHI Inverness’ Engineering Associate of Research within the Engineering Technology faculty were:
Developing UHI Delegations in Technology
Smart STEMS
Hydro Ness Additive Manufacturing
UHI Delegation to London Tech Week
With UHI Inverness seeking to develop its public presence more at national and international events, I sought to develop a strong presence at Europe’s biggest technology conference; London Tech Week.
Once agreed with UHI Inverness and UHI, I was allowed to lead the Engineering Technology delegation to LTW2022 and eventually LTW2023, Scottish Climate Summit, Decarbonising Transport Scotland, and “Science & the Parliament” conference.
These events allowed us to be present during the unveiling of Microsoft Co-Pilot, AI Supported Azure, developments in renewable and green investment in the UK and to develop a wider network with organisations and businesses from all over the world, which have helped support various projects throughout my role.
“Technology not only brings global collaboration, it is the very medium which drives it.”
Smart STEMs Inverness
Following my prior experience with Smart STEMs, it was only natural to develop our own Smart STEMs conference at UHI Inverness Campus.
Working with Seric Systems, SSEN, The Reinvention, Ross Shire Engineering, Glasgow Science Centre, Barclays and more, we managed to bring over 1000 school pupils from across the region to UHI Inverness for a series of workshops in STEM and STEAM.
On top of coordinating the event and conducting workshops, I also acted as compere for the whole event, where I hosted the schools for both the introduction and ending quiz of the day! Nothing quite like presenting to over 1000 pupils and 30 companies!
“Developing future generations to take advantage of the amazing developments in High-Technology, Design, Circular Economy, Renewables and Robotics which are on their doorstep””
Hydro Ness Additive Manufacturing
During my research into new methods of additive manufacturing and virtual design, Highland Council were seeking to develop further collaborations with UHI Inverness and UHI’s Engineering department towards their innovative and exciting Hydro Ness project.
Discussing my research and our developing 3D printing capability, I was given the lead to start a formal collaboration between UHI and Highland Council to create a scaled representation of the Hydro Ness power plant to be 3D printed & produced as awards and as school education models.
As the project manager & lead designer, this project allowed me to develop both a highly lauded and personal piece of work. My work has subsequently received significant positive press attention nationally and is now being displayed at a variety of various Highland Council locations.
Most excitedly, it has also allowed me to develop my name as a local award winning 3D designer and manufacturer.
“Additive Manufacturing represents a new paradigm in democratising design and manufacturing, what previously took massive amounts of time and capital to achieve in manufacturing, can now be accomplished for a fraction of the time, capital, resources and carbon!”
2019 – 2021 |
UHI Inverness KTP Research Associate (2019 to 2022)
Between 2019 and the beginning of 2022, I acted as UHI Inverness’ KTP Research Associate where my role involved the design and development of a low power electronic deterrence system for conservation factors.
This involved, the design, implementation and manufacture of an electronic design, embedded programming, 3D modelling, manufacture, procurement, project management and field testing. As a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic however, it was required that I conduct this work as a one man team for a majority of the project lifespan.
During this time, I developed a tenacity and resilience to strive towards an seemingly insurmountable task, eventually producing a functioning prototype which performed in the field.
During 2021, my position also allowed me to work within two emerging campuses in the Highlands (Inverness and Moray) with extensive travel being routinely undertaken to on-site locations in Royal Deeside (Braemar & Ballater) and throughout the Highlands (Sutherland, Caithness, Torridon, etc.)
| 2017 – 2019
Entrotec Ltd – Design Engineer & Product Engineer (2017 to 2019)
Previously worked in Livingston, Scotland, as a Design Engineer and Product Engineer for a leading UK security system designer and manufacturer.
My role included 3d modelling for manufacture, development of test rigs and documentation, acting as a liaison between the technical team, operations and manufacture, and working in a technical team on prototyping, designing and programming electronic products for commercial markets.
Also worked as a STEM liaison between the company, West Lothian College and West Lothian Stem Education projects.
During this time I also learned Solidworks 3D design packages to a high competency level, and also helped develop 3D marketing materials for products.
2013 – 2017 |
CESE Robotics and Mechatronics (BEng (Hons)) – Glasgow Caledonian University
Between 2013 and 2017, I studied an engineering undergraduate degree in Robotics and Mechatronics.
During this time, I undertook a variety of jobs and roles to support my extracurricular development and various undergrad projects.
Honours Project – Autonomous Vehicular Robot (2017)
At GCU, I was encouraged to develop an autonomous vehicular robot which could detect lanes, avoid obstacles, and detect inclines to cross a random track developed by GCU staff as a challenge.
Overall, the project while successful in it’s aims, did not live up to expectations when in competition due to the quickness of development and harsh research environment. If anything, other than the programming and electronic knowledge gained through this project, I developed important skills in developing resilience and identifying negative project attributes.
This project has since driven me to combat some of the toxic traits some in academia have towards both initial failure and hostile actions towards women in STEM which I continue to challenge to this day.
Student Mentor for Robotics Engineering & STEM Ambassador for GCU Stem Education Projects. (2016-2017)
Assisted with underprivileged schools in Glasgow with student mentoring, higher education support and supplying course information.
As Stem Ambassador, I undertook the running of various robotics workshops (with Smart Stems and class visits) where I provided light teaching and mentoring to classes of students from the age of 7 to 18.
Robotics Intern – Hochschule Merseburg, Germany. (2016)
Undertook an IAESTE internship and training with the University of Merseburg in their robotic technologies department.
I was able to both travel and stay for an extended time overseas and work within a foreign academic environment through this programme. Subsequently learned how to operate industrial robotic arm gripper systems.
Developed friendships and had experiences which I still hold dear to this day.
Engineering Bachelors Project SMEGL (Smart Medical Glove) (2016)
For our bachelors project, we were required to develop an IoT system which provides a social good to a STEM based industry.
In light of the enhancements with regards to medical sensor technology and the reduction in size and cost, we aimed to develop a glove system which could provide heartbeat, temperature, and oxygen readings wirelessly to a patient by the user, while also giving the user gesture control to make emergency calls in the event of a code blue or other emergency.
The glove was also designed to transmit to an online database to reduce data entry of information and also provide the user information on the readings using a basic automatic database lookup
The project was quite successful, leading to the highest grade in 4 years for that project task, while also being highlighted during a student innovation showcase. This lead to my winning of the Glasgow Guild of Hammermen Award for Engineering Aspirations.
STEM Experiment Centre for Kids (Diploma Project) (2015)
For our diploma project, we were required to develop an embedded based system designed to be used by children for learning and play.
We developed an experiment centre which could teach a child how DST works with a light gate ramp, a programmable keyboard for coding in music, a morse code system to teach communications and data transfer, and a series of mechatronic system to open and shut the system automatically (based on “Useless Machine” toys).
This project represented my first C++ coding and 3D Design Challenge.
