Dr Mei Ren appointed as a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor at the University of Manchester

The appointment is hosted in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE) at the University of Manchester and will start from March 2015.

This Royal Academy of Engineering industry-into-academia initiative aims to utilise the experience of the visiting professors to enhance student learning as well as the employability and skills of UK engineering graduates. Under the scheme, senior industry practitioners deliver face to face teaching and mentoring at the host university.

In this role, Mei will give lectures to undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students on a number of selected course units related to environmental sustainability. These lectures will help the students develop an appreciation and deep understanding of how different aspects of environmental sustainability including energy efficient and low carbon building design; sustainable urban drainage system; climate resilience and renewable energy are designed and implemented in real projects. She will hold master classes on environmental sustainability practice and give inspirational talks to first year students to encourage them to pursue a career in engineering. She will also contribute to the School’s strategic curriculum development to enhance their teaching of environmental sustainability. In addition, she will advise students from the School on a career in engineering and collaborate with academics on research projects.

This appointment will strengthen the ties between Buro Happold and the University of Manchester and will help the University of Manchester School of MACE produce engineering graduates and future leaders who can rise to the challenges of the 21st century.