The Common Room

Welcome to Our Voices, an oral history podcast by The Common Room in association with Dr Andy Clark, a research associate with Newcasle's Oral Hisotry collective. Chandra tells Andy about how a popular role model was the reason he move from India to Dundee to pursue a master’s degree in engineering, along with life settling in to a new city and finding new communities. Also, Chandra shares personal experiences of racism throughout North East engineering institutions and board rooms.

Welcome to Our Voices, an oral history podcast by The Common Room in association with Dr Andy Clark, a research associate with Newcasle's Oral Hisotry collective. Andy asks Bob about how he got involved in engineering, after leaving school at 14 with no qualifications. Bob shares his experiences at C.A Parsons after securing an intense internship, such as being given files to harden his hands. They chat about occupational safety, being exposed to asbestos, compensation campaigns, and the dangers of working in a flour mill.

Welcome to Our Voices, an oral history podcast by The Common Room in association with Dr Andy Clark, a research associate with Newcasle's Oral Hisotry collective. Andy asks David about his early interest in engineering through LEGO, and taking his own initiative to find engineering-based vocational training opportunities, when schools career advice offered him lacklustre support. He shares his experience applying for and undertaking a British Engines apprenticeship, and day to day life in the factory.  

Welcome to Our Voices, an oral history podcast by The Common Room in association with Dr Andy Clark, a research associate with Newcasle's Oral Hisotry collective. John tells Andy about his family’s migration from Ireland to Seaham Harbour in the 1880s, and his family history in the northern coalfields. John outlines his early experiences in the collieries, to working for British Coal Research and becoming an engineer. John shares his memories of the 1984 Miner’s Strike, marching, marriage, marras and receiving two chickens from trade unionists at Christmas that year. Also, John describes an almost fatal mining injury and the dangers of working underground.

Welcome to Our Voices, an oral history podcast by The Common Room in association with Dr Andy Clark, a research associate with Newcasle's Oral Hisotry collective. Andy chats to Ruth about the gender expectations she faced when making career choices at school. Ruth shares her career progression from truck garage receptionist to designing umbilical pipelines. Ruth recalls being a woman engineer navigating different attitudes and expectations in a male-dominated workforce and reflects on the small number of women applying to apprenticeships today. Also, they chat about the impact of deindustrialisation and globalisation in the North East.

Welcome to Our Voices, an oral history podcast by The Common Room in association with Dr Andy Clark, a research associate with Newcasle's Oral Hisotry collective.  Andy asks James about his engineering career overseeing the Tyne Bridge and lesser-known historic mining or rail bridges across the city. They reminisce the impressive installation of the Millenium Bridge. Also, they chat about shifting careers into the renewable sector, the challenges of building wind and solar farms, improving National Grid and energy distribution solutions, and the important role of apprenticeships in the North East. Our Voices is a series dedicated to celebrating the unique voices and the industrail heritage of the North East. 

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. 'There’s an engineering for you, you just need to find the right one. So don’t let anybody tell you can’t, because you can.’ – Introducing Dr Nike Folayan MBE. In this final episode of the series, Ngunan chats to Dr Nike Folayan MBE. Nike is a Chartered Engineer with a PhD in Electronics Engineering, and the Co-Founder of the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK). In this episode, Nike shares how she became an engineer because she loved television as a child, and discusses the importance of allowing young people to explore various aspects of engineering. Nike also tells us about what influenced her and her brother, Dr Ollie Folayan, to establish AFBE-UK – such as negative stereotypes surrounding black communities – and the work that their organisation does to support the development of more diverse engineers and young people exploring the industry.

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. ‘I wanted to inspire more young girls and the next generation into engineering, and that was all because I became a mum and realised I want to make a difference’ – Introducing Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee In this episode, Ngunan chats to Krystina Pearson-Rampeearee, a Senior Flight Systems Engineer at BAE Systems. Krystina develops equipment for aircrafts, playing a role in initial designing, right through to the equipments’ disposal. Throughout the episode, Krystina shares how becoming a mum has influenced her engineering career, from becoming a STEM Ambassador, to winning awards. Krystina also talks about the ways businesses, schools and society have a role to play in helping achieve greater diversity in engineering and other STEM industries. Also in this episode, Krystina and Ngunan discuss why young people shouldn’t let their grades hinder their career goals, and Krystina tells us about her diversity-in-STEM inspired Etsy shop, AviateHer!

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. “I think for anyone who’s thinking of going into engineering, it will bring out the problem-solving side of you, which is amazing” - Introducing Halimatu Abubakar In this episode, Ngunan chats with Halimatu Abubakar. Halimatu is a Support Engineer at Collins Aerospace, having recently completed their Future Leadership Graduate programme. She is also a member of WISE Campaign’s Young Professionals Board. Halimatu tells us about how engineers don’t perceive “failures,” but engage in “a process of re-learning" instead. She shares how trying to improve products once they’re in use is in fact, a really fun part of her job! Throughout the episode, Halimatu also discusses the importance of being supported in your career choices and shares the value she’s found in working for an employer that supports her professional development. As a massive Doctor Who fan, Halimatu also reveals how she would love to work with NASA in space exploration!

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. “They need people like me at the table” – Introducing Gina Baker In episode 10, Ngunan chats with Gina Baker, who works in supply chain analysis at packaging and recycling firm, DS Smith. Gina is an inspirational young engineer – in this episode, she discusses how she was the first black woman to complete the MEng Chemical and Nuclear Engineering course at the University of Leeds. Gina also talks about why she thinks a more targeted approach to getting more women of colour into engineering is needed, and shares her dream of becoming a UN Ambassador and Chartered Engineer. Not just an engineer, Gina also tells us about her music career as Ginius – producer, singer and songwriter!

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. “When they look at me and go, ‘you’re an engineer?’, I’m like, ‘yeah, but not like how you think.” - Introducing Laura Hoang In this episode, Ngunan chats to Laura Hoang; an Aerospace Design Engineer currently working in Programme Integration at BAE Systems. Laura works on military jets and shares how she is sometimes used as a “test subject” in the cockpit too! In this episode, Laura also talks about society’s limited perception of who engineers are and what they do, emphasising that not all engineers are found wearing overalls and a hardhat – “I wear high heels and have acrylic nails, and I don’t particularly want to get those dirty.” Laura also shares why becoming a Chartered Engineer was one of her proudest achievements, and tells us about her latest hobby; roller derby!

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. “Once I overcome a problem, I am very committed to making sure that the next generation and people coming behind me don’t have to go through the same problems.” In this episode, Ngunan chats to Dr Ibilola Amao; Principal Consultant at Lonadek Global Services, multiple award-winner, and natural problem-solver. Throughout the episode, Ibilola shares their passion for developing, empowering and mentoring STEM talent in Nigeria and beyond – especially women. Ibilola talks about how their experience studying and working in the United Kingdom partially influenced this passion. In this episode, Ibilola also discusses the importance of ensuring the next generation of engineers are not just technically empowered, but morally and spiritually empowered too.

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. 'It’s a beautiful field and so complex, and I really encourage the younger generation to study engineering – it’s wonderful!” In this episode, Ngunan chats Cristina Steliana Mihailovici, Doctor in Nautical Science and Engineering, Writer, Environmentalist, Economist, Project Manager, Lecturer, Analyst and Mum! Cristina provides us with an insight into her engineering journey so far, and talks about the importance of the UN sustainable development goals and combining engineering with humanity and kindness to reduce inequalities. When Cristina isn’t working to make global shipping more sustainable, she writes inspirational children’s books – opening up the idea of working in engineering to every child and encouraging them to explore, discover, and believe!

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. ‘What makes me an artist, makes me into a better engineer and what makes me into an engineer, makes me into a better artist’ In this episode, Ngunan chats to Shrouk El-Attar, electronic engineer by day, belly dancer by night. Shrouk identifies as queer, part of the LGBTQ+ community and a refugee (asylum seeker). In this episode Shrouk gives an insight into coming to the UK as a child asylum seeker and her journey through the education and university system. Throughout this episode Shrouk talks about their engineering achievements which include being in the top six young female engineers in the country (IET award 2020), how they developed a machine that detects cancer, their work on electron quantum spin and making robots for a living. * Please note, this podcast contains content that some listeners may find upsetting. Discretion is advised, recommended listener age 18+.

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. ‘Embrace unexpected outcomes because they are as important as your successful outcomes’ Episode Five – Introducing Ying Wan Loh In this episode, Ngunan chats to Ying Wan Loh, 2019 IET Young Women Engineer Award winner. Ying is a chartered engineer, junior specialist in operations and passionate STEM ambassador. In this episode, Ying shares her experiences of moving to Scotland from Malaysia at the age of 19 to pursue a career in engineering. Throughout the episode, Ying highlights her passion for engineering and the impact that this can have on people’s lives. Ying also addresses the importance of normalising failure and embracing the unexpected outcomes that arise through engineering. Social media handles:

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. ‘I am a global citizen. I am part of a movement of young people wanting to bring change to our world.’ Episode Four – Introducing Dr Yewande Akinola MBE In this episode, Ngunan chats to Dr Yewande Akinola is a chartered engineer, innovator, dreamer and public speaker with a passion for highlighting the roles innovation, creativity and engineering play in our world today. Yewande shares how her mother’s passion for engineering and creativity influenced her to go into a career in engineering. Throughout the episode, Yewande also stresses the need to recognise the importance and power of representation within the sector and offers advice for key influencers to support young people to express their creativity through engineering.

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. ‘Girls do have choices’ Episode Three – Introducing Dr Ozak Esu In this episode, Ngunan chats to Dr Ozak Esu, Smart Assets Lead at BRE. In this episode Ozak explains how her love of watching television as a child combined with an annoyance at power cuts in her home country of Nigeria inspired her to become a chartered electronic and electrical engineer in the construction sector.

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. In this episode, Ngunan chats to Sophie Harker, Senior Aerospace Engineer BAE Systems. In this episode Sophie explains how meeting Dr Helen Sharman (first British Astronaut in space) when she was 19 years old, combined with her love of space inspired her to go on to study mathematics and persue a career in engineering. Head to our website for more information about The Face of Engineering podcast: https://thecommonroom.org.uk/programme/explore-online/the-face-of-engineering/

Welcome to series two of our podcast. The face of engineering is forever changing and evolving, but who are the faces behind it and more specifically, the women? Let us take you on a journey exploring careers within the engineering sector. Join our host Ngunan Adamu as we bring you, The Face of Engineering podcast series. In this episode, Ngunan chats to Joyce Belny-Mellinge, Chemical Engineer and Managing Director of retail fashion business, 'Haus of Juicy'. In this episode, Joyce explains that studying chemistry at school, combined with a love of the arts, inspired her to pursue a career in chemical engineering and textile technology. Head to our website for more information about The Face of Engineering podcast: https://thecommonroom.org.uk/programme/explore-online/the-face-of-engineering/

In this podcast, Ruth explores some of the people who have worked at C.A.Parsons over the years, who have gone on to have great and interesting engineering careers. While researching, Ruth spoke to several of these people and retells wonderful anecdotes of their times at Parsons. Head to our website to explore images linked to this podcast: https://thecommonroom.org.uk/programme/explore-online/pioneering-minds-podcasts/