Comment: Art and engineering can make inspiring bedfellows

Engineering is a discipline that is all about solving problems based on analysis, knowledge and experience, with many solutions consisting of gradual, incremental improvements on previous designs and systems as technology continues to advance. However, the real breakthroughs in engineering happen when we are encouraged, or enabled, to be creative, imaginative and think outside the box. 

Finding a new way to inspire

Teams of engineers in research and development roles are usually focussed on the technical excellence and analysis of problems, which means that most of the opportunities to develop our skills and knowledge centre on these more technical aspects. As a result, there is often little time and resource for the development of creative and innovative skills, something that I strongly feel is a missed opportunity to otherwise add value and enhance the wellbeing of teams as well.

This lack of focus on creativity in the training and development of engineers can also be considered as a contributing factor to the lack of diversity we see within the engineering community – it doesn’t particularly come across as an attractive profession for people with a creative mind and this is a preconception we need to address.

A different approach

With these challenges in mind, the Power Electronics, Machines and Control (PEMC) Research Group within the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham recently engaged a Creative in Residence in a collaborative project with the Lakeside Arts Centre. Jo Fairfax is a Midlands-based artist who extracts current technological principles and weaves them into his projects, bringing a human touch to the technological world.

Jo stood out to us when we were looking for candidates thanks to the links his work makes between art and technology, something that we felt would make the collaboration more accessible for those involved in engineering. Our main ambition through enlisting an artist is that it will provide us with the perfect opportunity to inspire innovation in the group by bringing art into the local engineering context.   

Ushering in a new generation

The Power Electronics, Machines and Control Research Group is made up of 170 researchers who all focus on electrical energy conversion, particularly in transportation and electrical supply applications, with an ongoing focus on sustainability.

In 2021, we moved into a new, dedicated, state-of-the-art building that offers purpose-built laboratories for the group, which is the largest of its kind in the world, and sits at the heart of the university’s commitment to establishing Nottingham as a hub for the translation of net zero technologies. The £40 million research facility will drive forward advances in powerful, clean electrification technology and pave the way towards a new generation of low-carbon, sustainable electric vehicles, power, and propulsion.

Following the move, we felt the time was right to take the opportunity to do something a little bit different and use art as a way to celebrate and highlight our new home in the PEMC building.

“Perfect companions”

As part of his residency, Jo will be working alongside members of the research group, delivering workshops and talks to not only create the artwork, but also help further the individuals’ professional development.

Jo describes the worlds of engineering and art as being “perfect companions”, something that I thoroughly agree with due to the surprising parallels that can be drawn between them. For example, the creative and analytical processes required that culminate in resonating conclusions could be applied to either industry.

His first session with some of our researchers was a great success, Jo brings an openness, creativity, and enthusiasm with him, as well as a fresh perspective on our work that I hope will challenge and inspire people to look at their research in a new way.

This is an incredibly exciting venture for the group and, while we have no predefined outcomes for this residency, there is no doubt in my mind that the result will be one that has a profound impact on our researchers and the way they approach their research for the remainder of their career. And, on a more personal level, I can’t wait to see what the finished result may be and how they might inspire the next generation of great engineers.

Professor Pat Wheeler is head of the Power Electronics, Machines and Control Research Group at the University of Nottingham