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For further details and to register to join this year's conference, please visit the event website.
Please could you briefly explain your role, involvement, and experience related to the focus of this event
Beth Jones (BJ): I have been an Operational Research Analyst since year 2019, graduating with a BSc in Mathematics in 2024. In my 6 years at Sellafield I have worked on a variety of complex and intricate nuclear problems, utilising both statistical analysis and simulation methods in the analysis of data to help inform decision making.
What, in your experience, has been the biggest roadblock for the industry over the past 2-3 years?
BJ: Financial constraints, following government spending review, including limiting opportunities. We have an aging workforce, high attrition rates with a lot of experience and knowledge leaving the industry. Head count constraints meaning we lack new knowledge and ideas entering the industry.
What key topics are you excited to discuss at this year's conference?
BJ: There are several, but particularly emerging techniques in simulation & modelling and changes to problem statements as projects evolve, e.g. from design to operations.
What do you consider to be the key areas of innovation in this industry, both in the UK and internationally?
BJ: The evolving use of VR capabilities and AI to generate outputs and analyse data (image recognition).
Who else are you most interested in hearing from on the programme?
BJ: The programme is very strong, so everyone; there's always something to learn!
Why is it important for engineers to join this conference?
BJ: It's important for collaboration and for getting insight into new techniques used in other areas of industry, plus networking to gain contacts in other business areas to share best practice.
This year's Simulation and Modelling conference will take place on 30 September - 1 October at Austin Court in Birmingham.
Bringing together engineers and simulation experts across multiple industries, the conference provides a key forum for like-minded practitioners to share their expertise, present new technical developments, provide innovative use cases and outline lessons learned from engineering simulation projects.
Industry sectors covered this year include UK Ports, Automotive, Nuclear energy, Defence, Composite Materials, Pharmaceuticals, Green Hydrogen, Railways, and many others.
For further details and to register to join this year's conference, please visit the event website.