Andrew Ratcliffe, Chief Engineer at the UK Space Agency and Sheffield alumnus, met with Professor Conchúr Ó Brádaigh, Vice-President and Head of the Faculty of Engineering, to discuss the current position at Sheffield as well as meeting with Heads of Education and Research in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering to discuss space in the curriculum and future plans for space research last month.
The discussions included a comprehensive overview of the School's research portfolio, encompassing aerospace and materials, alongside a detailed exploration of current space-related activities such as Race2Space, and the faculty’s student-led rocketry teams.
Andrew gained insight into how space concepts are presently integrated into the curriculum, and engaged in discussions regarding potential next steps for enhancing and expanding these initiatives. He also took time to meet with students, giving a guest lecture to 2nd year Aerospace students as well as visiting a 3rd year group design module and university student-led team Project Sunride in their workshop.
Mr Ratcliffe said: “It was great being back in Sheffield having studied here for my MEng in Aerospace Engineering degree back in 2005-2009 and seeing the progress the faculty has made in that time. I enjoyed the opportunity to see the labs within the Diamond facility and meeting the Sunride team, both great examples of providing students with vital hands-on engineering design and test experience.
I look forward to seeing how the course continues to evolve, particularly as it begins to incorporate more elements around the design and development of space systems into the teaching programme.”
