Now in its second year, Collaborate To Innovate was established to uncover and celebrate great examples of engineering collaboration, with a particular focus on collaboration between businesses and the UK's world-leading academic research base.
For this year's competition, we invited entries across seven different categories covering key areas of technology development (Energy, Healthcare, Transport etc).
Shortlisted entries ranged from pioneering developments in healthcare technology, inspiring applications of technology to major civil projects, new ground-breaking energy schemes, and cutting-edge developments that are driving the future of connectivity and data. You can view the full shortlist here.
The judging panel for this year's awards - comprised of some of the UK's most respected engineers - praised a group of entries that illustrates the strong links between industry and academia, the role that engineering plays in addressing a broad range of societal challenges, and the high levels of innovation occurring across the UK (see below for quotes from the judges.)
The panel was particularly excited by this year's Young Innovator award, which celebrates the work of some of the UK's most promising future engineers, as well as some of the very best examples of how industry is helping to inspire school-age students to consider a career in engineering.
The ultimate winners of each category will be announced at a special event in London on Tuesday 5th September, and will present their work at our C2I conference on 7th December 2017 at the Lloyds Bank Advanced Manufacturing Training Centre, Coventry.
What the judges said about the C2I 2017 shortlist:
“It’s a great illustration of the breadth and reach of engineering in all walks of society.”
Prof Andy Wright - Director Strategic Technology, BAE Systems Programmes and Support
“I think it’s great to see the way the UK wealth and future prosperity is underpinned by engineering innovation.”
Prof Tom Rodden - Deputy CEO, EPSRC
"It demonstrates the power of collaboration across a breadth of areas, both industrial and academic, and high level innovation, which is becoming even more important as we become an ex-EU member and have to collaborate widely across not just our own boundaries but also international boundaries.”
Alan Mucklow - Director, UK and Ireland Sales, Yamazaki Mazak
“The outstanding feature of the entries was the collaborative side of things: incredibly innovative companies working with outstanding academics."
Jenni Sidey - Lecturer in Internal Combustion Engines, Cambridge University & Astronaut
“The thing that excited me as I went through was the breadth of stuff - from the rocket car right through to the research led innovation.”
Dr Chris Guyott - Engineering Director, Frazer-Nash Consultancy
“I think it’s really important that we reach out to the younger people - so it’s great to see two categories for young innovators.”
Prof Danielle George, University of Manchester
“The most compelling thing for me was optimism about the future. If you look at the number and depth of entries from young innovators I think there’s great confidence that the future of engineering is in great hands.”
Alan Newby - Director Aerospace Technology, Rolls-Royce Plc
“For me, it's about the transfer of knowledge from different industry sectors – we’ve seen it with medical devices, aerospace and automotive.”
John Halton - Director, Business & Industry, Engineering UK
“There are some outstanding entries – for me it’s about the links between innovation and the big societal challenges. Plus, the contribution from the engineers of tomorrow is absolutely awesome.”
Prof Iain Gray - Director of Aerospace, Cranfield University
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