Robert Slade

Well #INWED2024 is fast approaching in #June and I was delighted to be asked by the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) to give my thoughts on how to get more #womenintoengineering. The statistics are stark if you look at pure engineering and technology roles where women make up only 16.5% of the UK workforce however ever the optimist, this has grown significantly over the last 10 years. I know from my own university course experience in #chemicalengineering we have increased the number of women from about 1% in the 1970s to around 35% today on a cohort that is 5x larger! The other positive note is increased diversity with many coming from backgrounds that would never have considered careers in engineering before. This is great news for a sector that badly needs more talent particularly as we navigate the road to #netzero through the #energytransition. What has become even more important is to fill and retain the pipeline of talent through to senior and executive roles, the so called "#missingmiddle". There are a number of reasons which we allude to in the article and these need addressing. I particularly focus on the role of senior/executive management in making this happen. After all, if I am an employee and my seniors don't #walkthetalk, then why should I? The role of #allyship is key. Anyone can be an ally or support to anyone. It just needs you to stand up, be counted and get on and support with whatever expertise, ability and influence you have. "I would encourage all men reading this article to put their heads above the parapet and #courageously embrace #allyship to #thoseinneed in their organisations and beyond." Other areas I touch on that I believe are key include #mentoring, #sponsorship and #networking. Thank you Tegan Norster and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) for the interview and my fellow interviewees for their insightful comments, Elizabeth Donnelly, MSc FRSA MRAeS MINCOSE and Laura Grindey! Women's Engineering Society, FLISS - Free Mentoring for Women in STEM, POWERful Women, MyBigCareer, Graduate Mentor, WeAreTheCity, Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), University of Nottingham, WES University Groups Board, WES Apprentice Board, Early Careers Board Womens Engineering Society, London Business School, Imperial College Business School, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, Cambridge Judge Business School, The University of Chicago Booth School of Business, Eve Jardine-Young, Royal Academy of Engineering, Energy Institute, Energy UK, Cordi O'Hara OBE FEI, Laura Hughes, Emma Swinscoe, Vanessa Vallely OBE, Akua Opong CITP MBCS FRSA, Kasia ★, Bamidele Farinre, Hena Naranbhai, Lee Chambers, Robert Baker, Chelsey Baker, Kellie Kwarteng, Ann Donaghey MEng MSc, Cambridge University Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology, European Women on Boards (EWOB), Rachael Green https://lnkd.in/ecHCajpp

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🚀 Seize the Moment in the UK's Nuclear Sector! 🌱 In the heart of the UK's energy revolution, the nuclear sector is booming. With over 70,000 skilled professionals already powering our journey to a low-carbon future, the industry is set to triple in size. The demand for top-tier talent? It's skyrocketing. 📈 But wait, is nuclear the right move for you? 🤔 As a seasoned technical specialist recruiter at Morson Talent, I've witnessed the sector's extraordinary growth. If you're pondering a career transition, now's the time to channel your expertise into an industry that's not just growing—it's vital for our energy security and sustainability goals. Why nuclear, you ask? Here's the deal: The nuclear industry is more than just a job market; it's a community driven by purpose, innovation, and the collective goal of a greener planet. 🌍 By joining this force, you're not just changing jobs; you're making a statement. You're saying yes to a career that matters, to work that has a lasting impact, and to being part of the solution in our fight against climate change. Ready to make waves in nuclear? 🌊 Let's talk about how your unique skillset can contribute to this dynamic field. Whether you're an engineer, project manager, or have expertise in another area, your skills are needed to help shape our energy future. Connect with our dedicated clean energy team at [email protected] and kickstart a career with purpose. Together, we can explore how your career can flourish in this vibrant and crucial industry. #NuclearEnergy #CareerGrowth #MorsonTalent

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Spending half an hour on energy transition today?: i recommend listening the inertia podcast of the Oxford Institute for Energy Studies and looking the wonderful bathtube analogy. Why? Managing inertia in power grid systems is crucial for security of supply and faces substantial challenges with the energy transition. Two take-aways: 💡the earlier future inertia demand as market products are defined and brought in auctions, the more ahead of the curve we are to sustain security of supply 💡while in the past the shortfall of the biggest generator in a system was the defining grid disturbance, in future problems in AC/DC converter stations could level the inertia demand substantially 👉We at RWE operating gas, hydro and biomass generation delivering inertia in UK, NL and Germany 👉We are building inertia assets e.g. with our synchronous condenser project at Pembroke, Wales UK https://lnkd.in/egytZNc4 👉And we are preparing our growing battery pipeline to deliver “synthetic inertia” as the authors of the podcast explain! Thanks for this podcast and paper!

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Please have a read of my comment on the future of nuclear energy. https://lnkd.in/eFsrzFEc

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Where do ITES come into our journey and what do we need to consider? 🤔 Hear a bit more about our approach and which obstacles we'll expect to face along the way 🚫 Energy Systems Catapult Innovate UK Indian Institute of Science (IISc) #netzero #energystorage #renewableenergy

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Towards a green hydrogen roadmap for the UK – does the historical use of town’s gas containing 30-50% v/v hydrogen serve as support for using 100% hydrogen in future household heating? The recent Royal Society and Royal Academy of Engineering report has this to say about hydrogen safety – “Hydrogen is already used widely in industry today, and hydrogen for domestic use has a precedent: hydrogen was a major component of coal gas (‘town gas’) piped to homes in the UK before natural gas became available in the 1970s.” https://lnkd.in/gRdiNGce One of my pet hates is this comparison. We changed to natural gas because it was cheaper and safer. Compared with electrification, household hydrogen will be more expensive and less inherently safer. There are a raft of historical practices that we would not contemplate today because we know better. Would we use Laudanum (opium tincture) today to treat teething babies, use lead pipe for potable water, lead in paint, or ……… Historical precedence is no basis for justifying household hydrogen in my opinion. Am I out on a limb here? As ever, reasoned pushback welcome.

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