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Shaping the future: Q&A with Professor Kerry Kirwan

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:19:02 GMT

Originally published in Engineering Magazine’s 160 YEAR ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL EDITION: Engineering Magazine

Background

WMG is a world-leading research and education group, creating knowledge to deliver impact - for industry, people, and the environment.

Professor Kerry Kirwan is Dean of WMG, University of ��TV. He provides expert investment, policy and strategy advice to international agencies, funders, and governments as the Chair of WMG's Sustainable Manufacturing and Materials Group.

He has also served as Director of the EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Sustainable Materials and Manufacturing and Strategic Director of the Industrial Doctorate Centre at WMG.

An expert in circular economy, sustainable materials, polymer processing, and industrial applications, his work has seen him win the British Science Association’s Isambard Kingdom Brunel Award Lecture and the IOM3 Thornton Gold Medal.

20,000 RPM and counting: Inside ��TV Fighting Robots

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:45:00 GMT

On 28 February, a robot built by a team of eight ��TV Engineering students entered the Bristol Bot Builders’ (BBB) Beetle Brawl 2026 for a thrilling contest of speed, strategy and steel.

Fifteen university teams and 40 amateur teams from across the UK and beyond brought their robots, each weighing 1.5kg or less, to the arena. The competition was a sell-out success, with around 300 spectators turning up to watch the miniature robots go head-to-head.

��TV Fighting Robots is one of the Student Projects supported by ��TV Manufacturing Group (WMG), University of ��TV. In their final year, School of Engineering students choose a group project, and ��TV Fighting Robots has quickly become one of the most popular options.

Women in engineering: Deeksha Sampath

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:54:56 GMT

Meet Deeksha, a technology transfer engineer for WMG's SME Group. Link opens in a new windowFrom building Lego in India to inspiring young women in the West Midlands, this is her journey into science, engineering, technology, and mathematics (STEM).

Trading the 9-to-5 for international study

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 11:50:48 GMT

Kimsrung Lov, a Women in STEM Scholar, took a break from her decade-long career in computer science to pursue postgraduate study. Her curiosity has led her more than 6,000 miles from her home in Cambodia to WMG, where she is currently studying for an MSc in Cyber Security Engineering. She shares what inspired her to trade her day job for coursework and what her experience as a Women in STEM Scholar has been like so far.

In conversation with a Women in STEM Scholar

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 09:15:52 GMT

WMG has been proud to host several British Council Women in STEM Scholars over the past couple of years. One such scholar is Thiri Yamin Hsu, an MSc student in Applied Artificial Intelligence from Myanmar, who is part of the University’s current cohort from Southeast Asia.

How innovation builds a stronger future for your SME

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 10:31:00 GMT

In a time of rising energy costs, tighter supply-chains, and increasing pressure to decarbonise, many manufacturing SMEs in the UK are asking: where do we start with innovation?

Students build electric motorbike for global competition

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 10:23:14 GMT

Student Projects teams ��TV Moto is gearing up to take the lead in this year's MotoStudent competition with its electric motorbike, Panther.

How embracing AI leads to sustainable growth for SMEs

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 08:54:08 GMT

Technology Transfer Engineer at WMG, Manikanta Ravi, shares why it’s important for SME manufacturers not to fight AI, but to embrace it to deliver real impact.

The idea of artificial intelligence replacing people’s jobs sparks fear for many workers, but the reality is more positive. When computers entered manufacturing in the 1980s, many feared job losses. Instead, new roles like CAD designers and CNC machinists emerged, and productivity soared.

The future is fast and green: ��TV Moto unveil electric concept bike

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 10:01:57 GMT

Earlier this year, ��TV MotoLink opens in a new window, a student-led electric racing team at the University of ��TV, unveiled the Veloris concept bike, an electric superbike designed to push the boundaries of performance and engineering.

The launch event, organised by the students as part of their extracurricular activities, showcased the concept bike to the public for the first time. Industry partners present at the launch included MSCLink opens in a new window, the main sponsor; Seco ToolsLink opens in a new window; and Norton MotorcyclesLink opens in a new window.

Future-proofing your business starts with people, not pounds

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 10:16:00 GMT

With decades of experience working in manufacturing and engineering businesses as well as supporting SME manufacturers overcome their challenges, Liz McArdle, Innovation Manager for the SME Group at WMG explains why you don’t need a money tree to build long-term impact, just the right mindset.

In today’s fast-moving, uncertain environment, UK manufacturers face intense pressure.

From rising operational costs and supply chain uncertainty to the demands of digital transformation and the race to net zero, SMEs are feeling the strain.

But here’s the good news: futureproofing doesn’t have to mean big spending. Often, the most powerful investments are in your people, your culture and your capacity to adapt.