I graduated from Plymouth University with a degree in Civil Engineering in 1999. I then worked as an engineer on a variety of infrastructure projects in the UK and New Zealand. In 2009, I completed an MSc in Energy, Environmental Technology and Economics at City University, London.

I joined BRE in March 2008 and worked on a range of sustainability projects from working on the technical development of BREEAM to working with developers to help make housing developments more sustainable. In 2010, I decided to return to studying and joined the Engineering Doctorate programme at Surrey.  BRE were very interested in developing the water sector of the business and the EngD proved an ideal opportunity to further develop expertise in this sector.

My project is focussed on domestic water use within existing non-domestic buildings and research to understand how water use varies within different building types.  The research will consider the energy use attributed for heating, treatment and pumping water. The anticipated project outcome is a software tool or similar that can be applied to the existing building stock. This tool will demonstrate the opportunities that could be explored by industry as a means to reduce the energy and water demand of differing building types.

The project scope was developed in consultation with BRE, so this allowed me to have a very significant input into the project. BRE were very supportive and offered an industrial view of the project scope.  Furthermore, BRE recognise the value that research can offer to industry and will continue to support this and other Phd/EngD projects.

Having a career background in consultancy work, I wanted to ensure that I continue working on ‘real-life projects’. The EngD allowed this link to continue while undertaking research in my chosen field. This allows me to ensure that I do not become disconnected with industry during the research phase of my career.  

I hope the EngD will allow me to develop my skills and expertise as a consultant.  I would like to progress my career towards a more strategic role, in order to help guide the development of the water sector within BRE.  Overall, the EngD will provide evidence to potential clients that work being undertaken will be rigorous and of high quality.

The main attraction of studying at the University of Surrey was initially the chance to work with my project supervisors. Professor Soon Thiam-Khu and Dr. Jonathon Chenoweth are both experts in their field and very helpful people. Having now spent more time at Surrey, I have found the levels of support very good and the campus a pleasant place at which to study.

After completing a business degree at undergraduate level and then working in construction supply as a marketing manager for 5 years, I decided to make a move into a sustainability-based profession. During 2010, I completed an MSc in Environmental Strategy at the University of Surrey for which I attained a distinction. After this I was accepted onto the EngD programme, which seemed like a natural progression for my career.

My project will analyse current policy and state-of-the-art research into decentralised renewable energy technologies required to achieve Code for Sustainable Homes Level 6 on new builds, or to retrofit existing homes to as close to zero-carbon as possible. It will then seek to explore what the key issues and motivations are in the potential early adopters of such technologies in new build and retro-fit markets, with the ultimate aim of reducing carbon emissions from domestic properties. A model will be developed to assess both economic and technical viability and to test the results with potential innovators and early adopters.

The project allows me to build on previous research and develop it further. Many of the key issues facing a low carbon society are embodied in energy and housing sectors and to be able to develop research in this area is a key personal driver.

The EngD programme allows for an amalgamation of academic and industrial research which is unlike any traditional doctorate programme. This dual-faceted approach is what most attracted me to the EngD, and allows my research to both provide an academic contribution to knowledge and develop solutions to real industrial and social issues.  My supervisors provide invaluable guidance which enables me to progress my research methodically and systematically. I feel my research had greatly benefited from having them as a resource.

Working with strong university links makes me best placed to maximise both my industrial and academic impact. I feel that the EngD will allow me to become a specialist in my field and I hope that it will give me penetration into an industry that would otherwise not have been possible.

I graduated in 2006 with a MEng (Distinction) in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Surrey.

Following graduation, I spent 4 years as an Environmental Scientist and Project Supervisor for QDS Ltd. I worked on a wide variety of land remediation projects ranging from small domestic spillages to multi-million pound factory decommissioning projects.

The prospect of undertaking academic research in conjunction with industry was very appealing. The industrial influence on the projects within the EngD makes them really interesting as it is possible to see the direct impacts of the research. The EngD programme offers the student to not only gain a doctoral level qualification but also continue to gain experience in an industrial setting.

My research is focused on improving the body of knowledge surrounding modern swimming pools. The main objective of the project is to establish whether the addition of moveable internal structures into pool tanks causes significant changes to the water circulation through the use of computational fluid dynamic modelling and therefore whether the current guidance is appropriate for these new adaptations. The project aims to provide data to support the confirmation or improvement three key aspects of pool water treatment guidance; resource use, water quality and health implications.

Sport has been a significant part of my life. The opportunity to apply the engineering principles and water treatment experience I had gained during my degree and previous employment into a sporting context was an interesting challenge. I had enjoyed the challenges of bringing chemical engineering principles into the environmental remediation sector and was excited to try the same with the sports industry. The opportunity to work at the superb facility at Surrey Sports Park was a big draw.

Working in industry really helps to keep the project focused on the end result and the benefits that the work can bring to the industry. The presence within the sponsor company also highlighted the some of the practical issues associated with implementing research ideas or making changes to operational practices. The support of the University allows the research engineer to focus on innovative projects that the sponsor company alone may not have identified.

The EngD course has provided a varied range of academic and non-academic courses that gives the Research Engineer a broad understanding of the field. The course enables the research to be placed in the context of sustainable development. To date the work I have undertaken has raised the profile of environmental issues within the organisation.

The EngD has given me opportunities I would not have been able to have had in either a purely academic or industrial role. Hopefully the experiences and technical knowledge I will have gained by the end of the project will enable me to complete my transition from cleaning up the environmental legacy of past to ensuring the sustainability of future industries.

I graduated with a 1st Class BEng(Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the University of Leicester in 2005.

My career began with Thames Water’s Research & Development department, where I was involved with the development and field testing of a novel pipe inspection vehicle. Thames Water then sponsored me to study a part-time MSc in Sustainable Electrical Power at Brunel University. During this period I also moved into the major projects department within Thames Water. Working as part of the team building the £275M Beckton desalination plant, I was responsible for delivering the 8MWe Biodiesel CHP plant and was involved from concept to commissioning.

I decided to undertake this EngD as I’m keen to make a difference in this field and being based within the sponsor company provides instant feedback and direction. This collaborative approach provides value for money research and I’m encouraged by the interaction between academia and industry.

My EngD project focuses on sustainable energy production within the water industry, in particular wastewater treatment processes. The industry has huge potential to generate biogas, heat and electricity from the by-products created in the wastewater treatment process.

Historically the industry has focused on disposal of these by-products and as result existing infrastructure is not set up for optimum energy production. This project will attempt to research, analyse, design, trial and implement methods of increasing the energy production within the water industry.

I graduated in 2010 from the University of Manchester with an MChem degree in Chemistry with Industrial Experience. I spent my industrial year on placement with Amec Nuclear in Warrington, assessing the physical and mechanical properties of magnesium phosphate cement for low level nuclear waste encapsulation.

I was attracted to the EngD at Surrey not only because of the topic area but also the set-up of the course. Having just spent 4 years studying at University, the opportunity to go straight out into industry and begin my EngD project whilst studying modules linked to sustainability was great. I also liked the fact that the EngD at Surrey is very well established and would offer me the academic opportunities I was looking for, with the added benefit of four years industrial experience setting me up for a career when I graduate.

My project aims to look at forming a coherent energy strategy for Interfaceflor’s European operations. This involves undertaking energy audits of the three factory sites and showrooms across Europe to obtain a baseline in energy usage. This will then form a series of case study projects looking to improve energy efficiency, reduce carbon emissions and increase the use of non-fossil-fuel-derived energy. Currently, I am running a project to monitor and reduce electricity usage within the European and UK showrooms, and a project to improve the efficiency of the UK factory site’s latex pre-coating line.

I like the opportunity to work on a wide range of issues faced by Interfaceflor, ranging from materials choices to process and operational parameters. The company has already gone a great way towards its target of becoming completely sustainable by 2020, and so I enjoy the challenge of coming up with new ideas to ensure that this target is met.

Working on the EngD project within Interfaceflor, I’ve had some great opportunities to travel in Europe, and work with lots of different people right across the business. Working in industry has allowed me to gain an insight into the practical challenges faced by the manufacturing sector regarding emissions reduction. The link with the University has not only allowed me to fulfil the academic requirements of the EngD, but also given vital project support and conference opportunities.    

Both my industrial and academic supervisors have been central to ensuring the project is kept on track and fulfilling the objectives of both the sponsor company and the University. My industrial supervisor has been important in both giving day-to-day advice and shaping the project, and the support of my academic supervisors has also been vital in ensuring progression through the EngD.

Undertaking the EngD through Surrey has allowed me to really improve my project management skills, both through the practical running of a large project spanning many different areas in the company, and through the opportunity to gain the PRINCE2 Practitioner qualification. The EngD will have given me four years experience working in industry, as well as academic opportunities such as paper publication and presentation at conferences. In that respect I believe that the EngD will allow me to stand out when I’m looking for jobs upon graduation.  

I graduated in 2003 with an MA in Computer Science from the University of Cambridge. I worked as a researcher at the Department of Genetics in the University of Cambridge until 2010, when I began my EngD with the University of Surrey.

I was attracted to the Surrey EngD by the extra taught courses. I was impressed by the amount of management, strategy, and ‘success-making’ courses offered. I think the skills learnt in those courses will be applicable to my future career.

My research is into improving weather forecasts. The project is effectively a computer-based system that processes large amounts of data.

The aim of the project is to attempt to make better use of the data available in satellite images for weather prediction, particularly with reference to certain features in the weather that cause unpredictable and extreme events.

Such features are usually covered in cloud which makes it hard to see what is occurring. They usually involve a lot of vertical motion which is not modelled as well as it could be, and they usually form a tipping point between two very different weather outcomes.

The ability to work out what is happening at those points would improve the prediction of severe storms. My research will help, but in the very long term rather than immediately. The skills and knowledge taught in the courses is excellent and will indeed be useful.

The EngD will indeed enhance my career path. It will improve the respect that I receive for my work when I am searching for a job, and will enable me to work on more technical and specialised topics, which is my aim.

I studied a BEng in Civil Engineering at the University of Surrey, after which I was employed as a graduate civil engineer at MJ Gleeson. I returned to Surrey to study an MSc in Water & Environmental Engineering, and upon graduation I continued to be involved in research at Surrey’s Centre for Environmental Health Engineering. I also worked with Oxfam as an Innovation Project Coordinator, carrying out water treatment research in the Congo.

My EngD project is working with Thames Water Utilities looking at low-tech robust treatment options for wastewater treatment works. This is due to new legislation leaning on water companies to produce a higher quality effluent, as well as reducing energy consumption in a growing society. The low tech side of water treatment is what I have always been interested in, as I believe that water treatment can be less power-intensive. The EngD offers me the opportunity to make my mark on actually making changes towards a sustainable future.

I applied for the EngD as I have always wanted to do a PhD in an engineering/water treatment related area, but the thought of 3-4 years based entirely in academia had always put me off. The EngD appealed to me as it incorporated academic study with a majority of the project spent gaining experience in industry. I have always admired the work of Thames Water, so the opportunity to gain a doctorate and 4 years experience with the company is amazing.

The EngD will improve my interpersonal skills and transferable skills, as well as looking brilliant on my CV. The doctorate will also aid in enhancing respect amongst peers/academics. A qualification in sustainability will enhance my future personal development, as I feel this will be of ever increasing importance as climate change begins to impact our unsustainable living.

I graduated from the University of Surrey in 2008 with a 1st Class Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering (BEng). During this course I undertook a 1 year placement with Johnston Sweepers Ltd. as a Project Engineer. In my final year I received the Institute of Mechanical Engineers Project Prize for development work on the ‘Zero Shift Formula IMechE gearbox’.

I decided that the University of Surrey would continue to provide an outstanding place for personal development and applied for the EngD as it provided the opportunity to work on a vehicle-related project within a large, global organisation.

It is publicly accepted that driving style has a major effect on a vehicle’s fuel economy and possible savings of 10-20% have been reported. Within the logistics sector, my sponsor organisation, Deutsche Post DHL, has seen substantial fuel savings following driver training on eco-driving techniques. However, many drivers revert back to their subsequent style if not continually monitored or assessed. Pre-existing driver monitoring solutions are either not financially viable due to high cost and long pay-back periods, or are not fit for purpose.  

The aim of this project is to develop a system which provides drivers with a weekly feedback sheet containing an analysis of their performance. The current setup makes use of an in-cab device which transmits data back to a server for remote analysis. Feedback is then given via a web portal which provides printable reports for all drivers involved.

The EngD allows for a varied and mixed style of work where the Research Engineer is based on company premises, but tied strongly with the University. This provides, what I believe to be, the strongest foundation possible for personal development. It also provides the opportunity to work on a ‘real’ world problem where it is possible to make a visual and measurable difference. The relationship with the supervisor is fundamental as it allows the Research Engineer the freedom to openly discuss and develop ideas in a supportive atmosphere.

Working within industry has provided me with a sound, but realistic understanding of what can actually be achieved when a group of motivated, like minded individuals come together. The EngD program has also provided me with a set of transferable skills combined with an enhanced understanding of potential energy saving methods that can be utilised in all future projects.  

The EngD program sets up the Research Engineer with a solid foundation for a large array of future career options ranging from environmental consultancy to the business leaders of tomorrow. I personally feel the EngD will allow me to push ahead and aim for a role in senior management.   

After starting my undergraduate degree in Biology at Imperial College London convinced I was going to be a geneticist, It soon became clear that my passion was actually in the environment and global change issues. I then continued my studies and undertook an MSc in Environmental Technology. I learnt more about sustainability issues and developed a keen interest to be part of enhancing knowledge and implementing change - the EngD was the perfect opportunity to do this.

The programme offered at Surrey provides a strong blend of industry involvement combined with taught material. Industrial guidance and knowledge along with academic support from university supervisors provides great mix and sometimes radical perspectives, it means the EngD offers the best of both worlds.

My EngD project is exploring how to track and trace GHG emissions through an agri-food supply chain in the FMCG Company, Unilever. I am focusing specifically on managing and measuring emissions at the farm level. Within this, I have the opportunity to delve into both the social and the technical issues of increasing emissions accounting in this area.

Unilever are doing some really exciting things in the sustainability space. I was excited about being a part of making their vision happen. I am also able to learn from some leading industry experts in a field that I am passionate about and is so important to everyone on the planet – food!

Marrying the exploratory nature of research with the practical applications of industry is what really stood out to me about the EngD programme. It offers the flexibility to delve into the areas I am most interested in whilst being able to see how it can be implemented to make a difference and truly provide a contribution to knowledge. It feels more like a real job too!

A really important part of the EngD is the support from both academic and industrial supervisors. They are there to help keep you focused, provide you with feedback and generate interesting perspectives on your work. Maintaining a healthy relationship with supervisors therefore lends itself often to a more healthy EngD experience.

I am really enjoying the EngD programme and am excited about the possibilities being opened up for me at the same time. Being an EngD student is not an easy feat but it is providing me with important and necessary skills and training to potentially progress into a diverse range of future careers.

I believe that getting through an EngD, wrought with tight deadlines, different types of reporting and communication and interaction with a wide array of people, is setting me up well for what ever career path I may choose in the end.

I have an honours degree in Environmental Science from the University of Plymouth and completed my Masters in Environmental Management, specialising in Strategic Environmental Assessment of Natural Resources, in 2003.

In 2009, I joined Forest Research, following three years in the Forestry Commission’s West Midlands Forest District where I was Project and  Development Manager.

Previous to this, I worked on the implementation of the Habitats Directive and Public Service Agreements for protected sites for the Environment Agency.

Working within the Land Regeneration and Urban Greening team, I am undertaking a collaborative research project with the University of Surrey as part of a 4-year Engineering Doctorate in Sustainability for Engineering & Energy Systems. The EngD offers unique opportunity to develop a better understanding of barriers to implementing sustainability. It also offers the opportunity to collaborate with industry, in the workplace, on the development of a solution.

The current research focuses on the process of brownfield reclamation to greenspace, to inform an evaluation of the social and environmental impacts of brownfield regeneration to greenspace. It is crucial to compare and amalgamate technical decision making with social and environmental considerations of the regeneration process to ensure sustainable outcomes.
Greenspace makes a very important contribution to society; to people’s quality of life and to the environment. The opportunity to work on improving the quality and benefits delivered through greenspace creation was too good to miss!

At the University of Surrey, I’ve found the teaching standard and the experience of the support staff exceptionally high - far above anything I’ve experienced previously.

The EngD establishes a foundation, upon which an industry specific transition to a more sustainable economy can be pursued. Research Engineers develop professional skills such as negotiation, applying research methods and project management.

Exposure to the breadth of work being undertaken to improve sustainability has led me to consider career paths previously unknown to me.  

The EngD is an incredible experience, I feel very fortunate to be involved.

I did a sponsored sandwich degree in design engineering and management before returning to my sponsor, Lucas Diesel Systems for 5 years as a mechanical engineer in various jobs. I then worked on designing driver information systems, followed by product innovation for Visteon for 8 years. After two years experimenting with different industries, mainly in a fuel cell startup and underground rail infrastructure, I came back to automotive, contracting in powertrain design and project management for Ford.

I developed my EngD project in collaboration with Ford and the University of Surrey as a way of moving my career into sustainability. Cars as they are just aren't sustainable long-term and this is an issue the industry is aware of, so the EngD seemed like a good way to join up Ford’s needs and my research interests. Ford agreed that Surrey was the best match for the proposed project due to its reputation in sustainability research.

The car industry faces a lot of change right now; changing demographics of its customers, emissions legislation, expensive raw materials to name a few. The aim of the project is to add more resilience to Ford's product and technology strategies by adding sustainability criteria to their analysis and decision-making. The research will probably be in the metrics used to measure sustainability, and the methods for assessing and incorporating them into Ford's operations.

I've liked the idea of EngDs ever since they started as they are more directly relevant to businesses and I prefer working in industry to pure academia. I need sustainability qualifications to be able to work in this area nowadays, even in my "home" industry. I like the modular set-up of the Surrey EngD and it is the benchmark for best practice.

On the EngD, you have more freedom than in a normal job to direct your own activities. It's great to be able to read round your research topic, which you often don’t have time for at work. And because my job is about strategies, I get to meet people far higher up than I did before, which is interesting.

All the industrial and academic supervisors (I have 4 in total) are important because they bring to bear their experience to enable and enrich your research, e.g. by pointing out things you've missed or interesting leads.

The doctorate allows me to formally develop a technical specialism - this kind of career interests me more than working a normal management career path in a big company. It's worth the hard work to be able to do something about the issues that have been bugging me for years!

I completed my undergraduate studies at the University of East Anglia in Environmental Science. The course covered many of the physical aspects of the environment including Geochemistry and Meteorology. For my dissertation, I conducted a Life Cycle Assessment of beverage packaging, which introduced me to tackling environmental problems using a holistic approach.

I followed this with a Masters at the University of Surrey in Environmental Strategy, which enabled me to study the management of environmental problems furthering my understanding of life cycle thinking and its applications.

The EngD gave me the opportunity to further my academic qualifications and gain industrial experience at the same, which was ideal. The immediate applicability of your research to a real life situation is what sets the EngD aside from other Doctorate programmes. Not only does this act as great motivation but also the satisfaction in seeing the direct benefits of your work is excellent.

My initial research has focused on estimating the energy use of games consoles in the use-phase. With increasingly complex, multi-functional devices, this is a dynamic problem. Once the use of consoles and their energy footprint in the use phase are better understood, the potential savings to be made via different policy options can be assessed.

The overall aim of the project is to develop an approach to regulating games console that results in the greatest environmental benefit. In addition, this may result in a methodology that is applicable to different product groups.

Based in industry for the majority of your time, it is very easy to become focused on work tasks. Constant contact with the University ensures that what you are doing is of academic interest as well as being useful to your company. It is a challenge to make sure you balance the outputs of your work so that you fulfil both the academic and industrial needs.

The EngD programme allows you to develop your understanding of the issues around implementing sustainability as well as developing business skills such as project management.  With a topic such as sustainability, it is very easy to be idealistic. However, having your industrial context in mind when attending modules, allows you to consider the organisational barriers that may exist to these concepts and how to overcome them.  

One of the greatest assets of the EngD Programme is the networking opportunities it presents. As a Research Engineer, you are often attending conferences, workshops and meetings where you can discus your research and find people who may be able to help you and vice versa.

Completion of the EngD demonstrates many important skills and characteristics to prospective employers, not least determination and self-motivation. I hope that the EngD will lead me to a role in environmental management where I can continue to implement sustainability in competitive business environments.

I graduated from the University of Reading with a First Class BSc with Honours in Environmental Earth Science and then completed a Postgraduate Diploma with Distinction in Corporate Environmental Management at the University of Surrey. The EngD was an attractive opportunity after completing my Postgraduate Diploma, as I was unsure whether to move into industry or academia and the EngD offered the best of both. I applied for this project because I was taken by the idea of Industrial Symbiosis and impressed with the achievements of the UK National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP), which is delivered by ISL. Having previously studied at Surrey I knew first hand that I would have excellent supervision in a highly reputable centre of research.

Industrial symbiosis (IS) is derived around a metaphor of natural eco-systems; where the by-products, waste and/or residual energy of one industry can serve as the raw material and/or energy input for another (mimicking food webs and metabolic pathways). IS arrangements may additionally involve the shared use of assets, logistics and expertise, or any collaborative opportunity that results in more sustainable resource use. This project is concerned with assisting in the identification of opportunities for IS and the evaluation of benefits resulting from these working arrangements.

I have been very fortunate in working with my sponsors, in that IS, by its nature, engages all industrial sectors. This has enabled me a broad understanding of the pressures facing industries and how these impact on environmental behaviours. I think it is essential for anyone hoping to be an agent of change to be aware of these issues so that ‘change’ can be devised and pitched to decision makers accordingly. In enabling students to gain industry experience in parallel with their studies the EngD is set apart from other qualifications.

For my undergraduate degree I studied MSci Physics at Durham University. After graduating in 2002, I worked in the defence industry developing modelling and simulation tools to support the design and evaluation of naval radar systems. In 2007 I completed an MSc Environmental Technology at Imperial College London, which inspired me to continue to develop my expertise in this area.

I applied for the EngD because I recognised the need to gain experience of industry as a sustainability professional but also wanted to develop a deeper expertise in the subject. The EngD seemed to offer a great balance between developing a particular specialism and having an impact in the real world.

Digital products (i.e. those delivered through digital networks such as the Internet) form an increasingly important part of the output of many organisations. At the same time there is a growing awareness of the environmental impact associated with their provision and use. Managing these impacts is challenging for a media organisation, as much of the energy-utilising hardware used in the delivery of digital content lies outside their control and influence. My project aims to develop the necessary metrics, design principles, and analysis methods & tools to allow media organisations to manage this impact by embedding sustainability thinking into the digital product design process.   

The EngD provides a unique mix of academic and practical knowledge that enables me to implement ideas in the real world – for example, it has allowed me to gain the recognised project management qualification, PRINCE2.

At times it can be a challenge to balance the academic and industrial expectations of the EngD – the long and short term priorities. Industry provides a fast moving and vibrant place to work and often I have felt I am contributing to the companies activities in a very real sense. My academic and industrial supervisors have added different aspects of expertise to help guide the project.

After finishing my MSc I realised that to get the kind of job I wanted, I needed to develop a deeper knowledge of sustainability and its implementation in the real world. I believe completing the EngD will provide me with that expertise, and necessary experience of industry.  

I did an undergraduate degree in Mathematics and Meteorology at the University of Reading. I continued at Reading to do a Masters Degree in Mathematics of Scientific and Industrial Computation.
     
My research looks at ways of improving data assimilation of previous weather forecasts and observations, using simple numerical models of the atmosphere. Extending the assimilation window should allow the assimilation of more observations and hence improve the accuracy of the analysis. Improving data assimilation will improve weather and climate forecasts, including forecasts of extreme weather (such as extreme rainfall) that result from climate change.  

I am interested in mathematical optimisation problems, which is exactly what the project is based around. Since I am also interested in the weather it is great to link my research to improving weather forecasting. The fact that my project is indirectly linked to sustainability issues (such as predicting climate change) makes it more valuable.  

I was attracted to Surrey by its good reputation in postgraduate research. Most importantly, the EngD programme is very well established at Surrey, and the support they offer you (including courses such as project management) is very good. My industrial supervisor offers technical help relating to my project and helps me to understand how my project fits in with the wider plans of the Met Office. My academic supervisors help with understanding the mathematical side to my project and how it links to sustainability for engineering and energy systems.  

The EngD will provide opportunities for me to work in fields related both to my practical and academic experience. I’ve gained practical skills in numerical programming and the knowledge of data assimilation systems, but I also feel the EngD has made me more aware of sustainability issues and how it is possible to move to a low carbon economy. I feel that I will be able to build on my project after my EngD, which could help towards promoting sustainability. This could be by improving data assimilation methods further or by moving to a career concerning the environment. The skills I have learnt should offer both opportunities.

I completed a Master’s degree in Architectural and Civil Engineering at the University of Bath in 2008. During placements I worked as a hydraulic engineer at an engineering consultancy and as a networks engineer at Wessex Water. After graduating, I spent 2-3 years working in engineering consultancy with many roles, including structural engineering, civil engineering, hydraulic modelling and flood risk assessment.

I decided to apply for an EngD because I saw it as an opportunity to become an expert in a new field. They help to break down the stereotype of the “ivory tower” academic researcher by placing them within a real-world context. I turned down an excellent PhD offer in favour of the EngD as the outcomes of the research have a direct application to a current problem.

My project is based at InterfaceFLOR, the European branch of a global carpet manufacturer. In the 1990s, the company reinvented themselves as pioneers in industrial ecology, and are now considered leaders in the field of sustainable manufacturing. My project aims to assist Interface in reaching their target of becoming completely sustainable by 2020. I will capture some of the knowledge and experience that Interface can bring to the rest of the industrial world by creating a strategy for change within a manufacturing firm. I believe that Interface’s reputation as a sustainable leader will be a great boon in promoting the findings of the research, and hope that the outcomes can lead to changes in the wider world.

The University of Surrey take a very modern approach to delivering the EngD modules. Feedback is valued and acted upon, which means that the taught elements improve every year. The course administration and management is exceptional and I have felt very well looked after - from my initial application all the way through the induction process and the first few modules. My supervisor team have also been very supportive whilst also allowing me the freedom to design my doctorate.

I think the EngD is very valuable for my future career. I don’t believe that there could be a more effective way of training to become a leader in the sustainability transition. I hope that this qualification and experience will give me the freedom to choose virtually any career in sustainability.

Prior to joining the EngD, I spent three years at the University of Birmingham and one year at the University of Singapore to attain a MEng in Chemical Engineering. I was attracted to the EngD by the broad range of training on offer that has forced me to expand my breadth of interests and will make me more employable in future. Furthermore, my academic supervisors have already had illustrious careers, so I can learn a lot from them.

My project utilises evolutionary algorithms to develop intelligent heat solutions. Evolutionary algorithms are effectively attempts to harness the meta-intelligence of natural selection (evolution’s ‘ability’ to produce intricate designs in the form of highly specialised organisms and highly adaptable organisms, such as mankind).

I have always enjoyed modelling and mathematics but I believe research without real-world context is at risk of becoming meaningless. By working with Bosch I can help create technologies that can reduce our dependency on natural gas. This is especially important as North Sea reserves are dwindling and I suspect protectionism will increase following various Eurozone crises.

Bosch is a company with an impressive intellectual property repertoire, a strong culture for innovation and a true passion for technology. Since it is a private company, Bosch can reinvest in research without worry of offending shareholders. My industrial supervisor is very supportive of the EngD scheme.

I believe the primary difference I can make as a result of my project is through contribution to technology. The transition to a low carbon economy is inevitable - the rate of transition is really a function of how quickly pragmatic alternative technologies become available and how rapidly resource prices increase.

I would like to continue a career in engineering and eventually end up in corporate strategy. The direct link with industry gives EngD graduates more bargaining power than PhD graduates when it comes to negotiating for jobs in industry.

I graduated with a BSc in Product Innovation from the University of Hull. For my dissertation I developed and tested an intuitive display system for motorcycle riders for which I was awarded the IMechE Project Prize for the most outstanding final year project in Mechanical Engineering.

My project focuses on the study of Outside Broadcast (OB) vehicles and equipment (mobile television broadcast production studios) with a view to redesigning them to be more sustainable and resource efficient. These trucks contain everything required to produce and broadcast from remote sites for purposes such as television news and sports coverage. Sony is the leading supplier of OB vehicles and manufactures most of the equipment it runs, placing me in a unique position to scrutinise the whole process.

From my experience as Director of Photography for a BBC and University of Hull funded production company and as an independent videographer, I had some prior experience in the field of broadcasting, and this project’s focus and the chance to work with Sony (one of the biggest names in broadcasting) immediately grabbed my attention.

Working with and having access to the knowledge and facilities of one of the world’s market leaders in my field, and at the same time being a registered student at the University of Surrey is one of the most valuable assets to my postgraduate research. Attending conferences, interviewing and investigating competitor companies with a freedom not usually endowed to your industrial colleagues is something completely unique to the EngD programme.

Supervision on an EngD is unique; I have four supervisors: two from the University and two from Sony. They have all played a pivotal role in my settling into the position, and continue to be supportive and helpful throughout my continuing studies.

The EngD program at the University of Surrey not only provides a varied framework of modules and academic support but is fundamentally embedded within the context of industry. The opportunities offered by this relationship are in my opinion unrivalled by either a purely academic course or an industrial position. Four years of industrial experience gained whilst on the EngD programme is something which is likely to contribute towards a healthy CV and route to chartership. The broad range of training modules and the immersion in industry provides a very wide repertoire of skills and knowledge which opens up a wealth of employment opportunities after the EngD.

Having completed an undergraduate degree in Business & International Finance at Oxford Brookes, I was keen to incorporate sustainability within my studies as I saw the vast opportunities within industry. I undertook an MSc in Corporate Environmental Management at the University of Surrey.  Whilst on the programme I had the opportunity to work at WWF on a national campaign and at The Climate Group within their electric vehicle business. This led me to write my dissertation on the electric vehicle fleet market and consequently to apply for the EngD project with Schneider Electric.

Schneider Electric supply entire charging infrastructure solutions across the complete range of applications. My project aims to identify and develop business opportunities for electric vehicles, specifically within the fleet market. The research aims to forecast the future EV market to assist the direction of Schneider’s strategy within the business.

I applied for the EngD with Schneider Electric for several reasons; firstly I was keen to further my engagement with electric vehicles as it is a new market that will provide an exciting journey that I hope to develop alongside. Secondly, it was an amazing opportunity to join a global organisation that would not only provide support and resources for my research but also the diversity to broaden my knowledge beyond the project alone. Finally, the EngD generally is an excellent programme which enables both industry and academic progression that is invaluable for personal development.

I was particularly attracted to this project due to my background in electric vehicles. The market itself is relatively new, enabling my research to grow alongside market developments as well as Schneider’s EV business. Additionally, as the electric vehicle market is establishing it combines a plethora of contributing factors from public policy to technological advancements, all with a focus upon business operations within the electrification of fleet transportation. The project having this scope was extremely appealing as it drew together aspects of my education and industry experience.

I consider working in industry but having links with Surrey the best of both worlds. It has the fortune of developing your understanding of academic theory, as well as the reality of business pressures. I was extremely keen to work within a corporate environment; however the bonus of furthering my knowledge in an academic sense with the support of a University provides a unique position.  

Having previously studied within the Centre for Environmental Strategy (CES) I was familiar with the University and the breadth of knowledge within the department. Originally the location of the University played a large part in my decision when applying for the MSc as, it being relatively close to London, I knew opportunities for industry experience would be considerable. The fact that CES is argued to be a leader in sustainability significantly deepened my desire to complete the MSc and EngD at Surrey.

The EngD will allow me the opportunity and freedom to develop my project as required. This is particularly important with regards to electric vehicles as the market will undoubtedly be considerably different in four years time. Within Schneider, I currently sit within Strategic Marketing which for me is great. I foresee my future continuing within a strategic role focused on the sustainability agenda and therefore having this opportunity to strengthen an appropriate skills set is invaluable. I am sure the EngD will enable me to develop and strengthen skills in adaptability, communication and project management, all of which I consider integral to the end result and are most certainly transferable.  

My undergraduate degree, was completed at the University of Durham in 2010, for which I received a 2.1 (Hons) in Physical Geography. I have also completed an MSc in Environmental Technology (Distinction) at Imperial College London. The experiences I gained from my post-graduate qualification, as well as an internship at a leading commercial environmental services firm, set me in great stead to pursue the EngD.

The project I am working on in collaboration with Surrey County Council (SCC) is titled ‘Closing the loop: A systems approach to delivering a world class waste solution – Materials Innovation’ and focuses on ways in which waste (particularly that from households) can be used as a feedstock for the creation of new products, and contribute to a sustainable future for SCC. I am currently in the first stage of the project, in which I am developing an evidence base that will enable material specific supply chain analyses to be undertaken, thus allowing the identification of possible opportunities for material innovations in line with the waste hierarchy.

My main motivation for applying for the EngD was because of its direct engagement with waste management, environmental service firms and local government, in which I intend to pursue a career. The importance of waste (resource) management and making it effective is, in my opinion, the biggest epidemic of today’s society. Its complexity only complicates the system further. The interdisciplinary nature means that there is not a one size fits all solution. With each local authority developing the transposed EU Waste Directive within the Waste Strategy for England, the key is to make sure that any strategy, in any district, considers the nature and needs of its population, as well as the capacities available for treatment.

Working within industry, gives a real insight into the practical application of your work, and helps you to understand the logistical implications of the work you do in academia. It is an invaluable experience to gain the skills that will be required later in your career, whilst studying a subject in which you wish to become an expert and thoroughly enjoy. The EngD also provides the opportunity to develop a network within industry which is a great foundation for things to come. This coupled with the support and academic genius of the university allows the projects to achieve bigger and better things for your company, rather than working in isolation.

In my opinion supervisors as well as the support staff at the University of Surrey are the thing that makes this an entirely enjoyable experience even when times get hard. Supervisors both in industry and academia are enthusiastic about the projects and provide an excellent level of support as well as knowledge.

The EngD will enhance my opportunities and excel the level to which I can go individually, as well as in the industry I have grown to love.  Working within local government has made me wish to pursue an environmental career within the higher echelons of the civil service that I believe would only be possible through the experience I will have gained through the EngD.

I graduated in 2011 with a Master’s degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Leeds. My time was spent learning about the fundamentals of chemical engineering and the conception and design of processes for full scale production in a range of sectors. I have been fortunate enough to work in a number of sectors through summer internships for Novartis in the UK and Yantai Wanhua Polyurethane Co. in China, where I was able to apply theory in practice and learn more about industrial challenges

My EngD project looks at making food factories more sustainable through increased energy efficiency, use of renewable energy technologies, reduction and diversion of waste streams and enhancement of natural and social capital. This will involve utilising an integrated systems approach to ensure opportunities are both cost effective and sustainable.    

Food factories are one of the major stages in the life cycle of a food product where a great deal of innovation can be introduced to minimise the impact on society. As the world population is expected to increase in the future and climate change is taken more seriously, these factories will be under pressure to produce more with less, and thus the need for a great transition to a sustainable, low carbon food production facility.
  
Working in industry for the majority of my time is great but also challenging. Most people in industry are not aware of what sustainability means in its truest form, the time-scale and what this looks like for them and the company. The great thing about the EngD programme is the number of supervisors you have both from industry and academia, which shows the level of commitment, seriousness and impact of your project, both to industry and academia.

I have always considered studying for a PhD but wanted something more practical, engaging and less isolated; the SEES EngD definitely provides this and more. I feel the EngD generates a new breed of engineers that have a greater appreciation of industrial problems and is more hands-on, practical and develops a wider range of skills. I like the aspect of spending the majority of my time at the company facility whilst studying taught modules to further improve my technical knowledge.

The University of Surrey has one of the longest standing doctoral centers in the UK and is very reputable. The EngD programme exceeds my expectations. It certainly equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge to innovate and be inspired.  I am particularly pleased with the taught modules; it is great to interact with other Research Engineers around the UK and talk with respected academics in the field of sustainability.
Industry as a whole is very much at the beginning of a great transition, and will require at least another 100 years of concerted effort to stabilise the effects of climate change. The EngD programme equips me for this challenging future.

I studied construction at North Devon College before moving on to Civil Engineering at the University of Plymouth. I earned a BSc and MSc in the subject and won several prizes including ‘Best Final Year Project 2009 and 2010’ and winning silver in both an IStructE technical presentation competition and IET technical presentation competition. I was also fortunate to work with Plymouth College of Art and Design as a consultant structural engineer for a project commissioned by the Royal Navy in 2009.

I had always wanted to complete a PhD, though felt that another 3 years before I would be in industry would actually be damaging to my aspirations. The EngD is special as it combines doctoral research with real-world problem solving whilst allowing you to develop the skills required to become a successful engineer.

The aim of my project is to develop an integrated software framework to identify and model the risks associated with siting Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) terminals. Currently, numerical models exist for examining the different components associated with LNG terminal design e.g. investigating the channel infill rate due to wind and currents or calculating the armouring size of breakwaters based on extreme waves and surges. There are, however, no models that enable these aspects to be considered within a single framework, with trade-offs and interactions between elements systematically explored, meaning that it is currently not possible to fully analyse the risks and potential rewards associated with designs without relying largely on engineering judgement.

As an EngD Research Engineer, you get the opportunity to traverse roles continually in order to push the project forward. This gives you a sense of freedom and support from both industry and academia. I have four supervisors and they are all instrumental to the project’s success. Each is a specialist in a different area and this gives a wide pool of skills that can be drawn on. It is most interesting when we have combined meetings as this always bears fruitful opportunities for the project direction.

I am only 6 months into the project but I am already developing high-level interpersonal skills and organisational capabilities as well as a fundamental understanding of sustainability.  I have no doubt that the course will provide the skills needed to instigate changes and help motivate others to push toward them. Access to online databases and libraries through the University are also invaluable and allow you to stay at the forefront of the subject area.

I have no doubts that the EngD will supercharge my career early on. I am looking to become a lead designer of energy projects within 5 years of graduation and probably moving more toward a CEO-type role one day. It is an excellent choice for those who are motivated and has the potential to lead to the top of whichever ladder you wish to climb.

I completed a BA BEng degree in Civil, Structural and Environmental Engineering in Ireland’s premier University, Trinity College Dublin. After completion I was keen to pursue a career in environmental engineering. I decided to focus my career path and completed an MSc in Water and Environmental Engineering at the University of Surrey, a UK leader in the field which recently received the Water Management and Supply award from the Institution of Chemical Engineers.

I explored a few options for employment in the water sector and determined this EngD suited my skills and aspirations best, as it allows Research Engineers to gain industrial experience and simultaneously valuable academic knowledge. I was interested in working for Thames Water Utilities, the biggest of the UK water companies, as I was keen to put my engineering studies to practical use in the water engineering sector. The EngD offered the opportunity to draw on previous knowledge and learn new skills.

My project is concerned with sustainable phosphorus recovery from wastewater treatment plants. Phosphorus resources are dwindling and as mining becomes uneconomical, phosphorus prices have increased 3-fold. It is expected that phosphorus recovery will become incentivised by national governments and the EU. The aim of my project is therefore to investigate the efficiency of current phosphorus recovery systems and alternative methods of recovery from wastewater treatment effluents. Working with the company allows me to gain practical industrial experience and knowledge of the current operation of the company. The chance to become an expert in the field of nutrient recovery really attracted me to this project.

Links with the University of Surrey allow me to learn of emerging areas of interest. The modules place my project into the grand scheme of sustainable development and allow me to step back and think about how I can influence sustainable development through my project and in a broader sense. I can then bring these concepts and skills back to my company and facilitate changes in positive ways. By gaining an in-depth knowledge of phosphorus in a global and UK context I can create an exciting and important future for myself and influence sustainable development.

The EngD will enhance my career path by allowing me to learn how water companies such as Thames Water operate. I can build up a network of contacts and focus my career towards my aspirations and areas of interest. This is the first step towards a fascinating and challenging career in water engineering.

I completed an undergraduate degree in Mining Engineering at Tehran University, one of the most prestigious universities in Iran. I carried out my postgraduate studies at the University of Surrey, where I accomplished my Master of Science degree in Water and Environmental Engineering. My employment history includes working with two major engineering consultancies in the UK (Halcrow Group and Jacobs Engineering), where I worked as a design engineer and lead design manager on a variety of water and wastewater projects for major clients such as Thames Water, Environment Agency and South East Water.

The EngD came as the perfect opportunity to fulfil my academic goals and undertake research in my chosen field, at the same time retaining my links within the water industry. The EngD gives you the freedom to run your own initiatives and direct your research while working on “real life” practical projects.  

Water companies are under increasing pressure from regulatory bodies to develop a risk-based (forward looking) approach to their investment planning, as opposed to relying on historical analysis and serviceability records. That includes the investment which is required for trunk water mains replacement and maintenance. Trunk water mains failure not only creates water loss, but can result in catastrophic events causing operational damage, interruption to supply of many customers, flooding and adverse environmental impacts. Thames Water, the largest water and sewerage provider in the UK, have been developing analytical models to predict the likelihood of failures in their trunk mains network. The focus of my doctorate research is to further evaluate and validate these models and to develop them further in order to build a robust asset management tool in the context of a mains renewal programme.

Being involved in managing the design aspects of old water main replacement for the last few years, I found the subject very interesting and relevant to one of the main challenges that the water industry is facing. I believe my research topic is the response to an urgent requirement within the industry. And, having completed my MSc dissertation with Thames Water, I knew I was joining a highly skilled team who are leading top class research within the water industry.

Since environment legislation has been tightening over the last few years and sustainability is increasingly becoming the topic within the water industry, I am also keen on the sustainability aspect of my project. I feel the EngD is providing me with the right skills to become an ‘agent of change’ in my future career. I can see myself helping to guide the sustainable development of the water sector.

Since I undertook my MSc in Surrey, I was aware of the high quality of academia and lectures. I was aware of Surrey’s excellent reputation within the industry through my previous employers.

I have got four supervisors, three academic and one industrial, who between them carry an enormous amount of knowledge and expertise. I can see how each of my supervisors is important and relevant to my research project.

The University of Surrey offers one of the most reputable EngD programmes with links to top sponsors within the industry. I believe the EngD is giving me the body of knowledge and a wide range of skills and expertise in order to build upon my previous experience and progress my career towards a more strategic role within the water industry. I believe the EngD is a highly recognisable and valuable qualification that can enhance my future career path.