Why I do what I do

Engineering is all around us, from the roads and bridges we travel on, the buildings that protect us, the power that's generated and brought into our homes, the complex network that provides us with clean water and even the swings at your local playground.  These are the sort of things we take for granted but would find very hard to live without.  

I'm a Civil Engineer.  I am passionate about engineering, especially the built environment that surrounds us and that we rely on everyday. I believe when you understand engineering you see the world differently.   

I am hugely rewarded by sharing my experience and knowledge of engineering to inspire the engineers of the future, help them make the link between STEM subjects and the engineered world around us, and develop engineering ways of thinking.

Being a parent of young children I see how they love building things and ultimately knocking it over, or sometimes their creation falls over on its own. Children also love to draw, whether it be a house or a family picture. Both of these require a certain amount of imagination and creativity.  

I believe most young children are little engineers and their views of engineering will largely be shaped by their experiences of it as they grow up. To develop our future engineers, young children need to participate in hands on practical activities to develop a more rounded approach to problem solving, appreciate the feeling of learning and get a real flavour for engineering and the career opportunities it offers.