Communications Briefing: 9 to 23 June 2018

Institution in the News

The Press Office issued a number of statements: a response to the opening of Race Bank Wind Farm, a response to car insurers against the use of “autonomous” in car marketing and a response to Clear Air Day. Other announcements included the winner of the UAS challenge, news that the Australian Psyche Bend Pump Station has received an Engineering Heritage Award and news the Institution’s racing car winners would go head-to-head following the Grand Prix.

• 18/6/2018 Good Evening Wales – BBC Radio Wales

  News that the Unmanned Aircraft Systems challenge happened at Snowdonia Aerospace Centre. Features an interview with a student from Swansea University, who highlights that taking part in the Challenge has given him the opportunity to develop new contacts with industry and work with engineers from other disciplines. Also featured in Cambrian News.

• 8/6/2018 Heathrow and the “aviation mafia” – The Guardian

  Letters in response to the battle to construct a third runway at Heathrow. One letter quotes a statistic from the Institution to prove a point that if it takes 20-30 years to build the third runway, that the runway would have just 10 years of use.

• 17/06/2018 Hyperloop – a reality check for the much hyped technology? – The Telegraph

  Article about Hyperloop no longer being a far-fetched concept. Features a quote from Philippa Oldham, who highlights that there are “still gaps in the information regarding risks and safety of the system itself.”

• 10/6/2018 Nuclear warning over Brexit as advisers fear for Scottish sites' safety – The Sunday Times

  Article which highlights that Scotland’s ability to safeguard nuclear sites will be compromised by Brexit. The story quotes the Institution’s statistic that it takes five years to train a nuclear inspector.

• 8/6/2018 Dozens honoured by the Queen in the Anglia region – ITV

  News that John Lowe, Trustee of the Institution has been honoured by the Queen in her Birthday Honours list for his services to STEM education. Also featured in Essex Live.

• 18/06/2018 Watch student racing car winners go head-to-head following the Grand Prix – Process and Control

  News that to mark the 20th anniversary of Formula Student, the Institution is holding a one-off race at Silverstone on Qualifying Day of the Formula One British Grand Prix. The 100m acceleration race will see the winning car from the first event in 1998, from The University of Texas Arlington, go wheel to wheel against last year’s winner from Cardiff University. Other Formula Student articles featured in Environment Guru, Electronic Specifier, Welwyn Hatfield Times, West Wales Chronicle, Bodyshop Magazine, 3D print and Dawn.

• 19/06/2018 Harrassment of female engineers: #metoo? - Engineering and Technology

  Article about the harassment of females in the workplace which quotes the Institution’s “Stay or Go” report.

• 12/06/2018 Cornish Levant Beam Engine to receive Engineering Heritage Award – Process and Control

News that the engine receives the accolade from the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in recognition of its restoration and contribution to Cornish mining history.

Public Affairs

Dr Jenifer Baxter visited Riversimple, a hydrogen car manufacturers in Llandrindod Wells with Simon Thomas AM for the launch of his hydrogen research document for the beginning of Clean Air week.