In this final episode of season 1 of the UK Young Academy podcast, Co-hosts Alistair McConnell, Associate Professor in Computer Science at Heriot-Watt University, and Wenmiao Yu, entrepreneur and co-founder of Quantum Dice, share their backgrounds, motivations for joining the UK Young Academy, and their contributions to various projects in the Young Academy's early years.

They discuss the importance of collaboration within academia, and the conversation also touches on the cultural dynamics of academia in the UK. They reflect on the many insights gained from their guests throughout the season.

Learn more about Wenmiao and connect

• ⁠LinkedIn⁠

• ⁠Website⁠

• ⁠UK Young Academy website profile⁠

Learn more about Alistair and connect

• ⁠UK Young Academy website profile⁠

• ⁠LinkedIn⁠

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the hosts

02:44 Backgrounds and motivations for joining the UK Young Academy

05:19 Contributions to the UK Young Academy

07:58 Projects and initiatives in focus

10:24 Challenges and time management

12:48 Collaboration and engagement in academia

15:28 Cultural reflections on academia

18:19 Podcasting experience and insights

21:04 Future aspirations and impact of the podcast

24:06 Quickfire round and closing thoughts

In this episode of the UK Young Academy podcast, Fatemeh Shahbazi, an Associate Professor at the University of Warwick, shares her journey in mechanical engineering and computational fluid dynamics (CFD).

She discusses her passion for education, innovative teaching methods, and her involvement with the UK Young Academy, particularly the IMAGINE project aimed at empowering disadvantaged children.

Fatemeh reflects on the importance of collaboration and inclusivity in academia and encourages others to pursue their passions.

Learn more about Fatemeh and connect:

• ⁠UK Young Academy website profile⁠

• ⁠Fatemeh's LinkedIn⁠

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Fatemeh Shahbazi

01:05 Journey into computational fluid dynamics

03:50 Passion for education and innovative teaching

04:46 Involvement with the UK Young Academy

05:11 The IMAGINE project: empowering disadvantaged children

07:26 Challenges and lessons learned when volunteering

09:31 Impact of UK Young Academy on personal growth

11:22 Future aspirations

13:21 Key Lessons from UK Young Academy involvement

14:27 Vision for the future of UK Young Academy

15:58 Exciting projects in mechanical engineering

16:41 Engagement opportunities for collaboration

17:11 Quick fire round

On the fourth episode of the UK Young Academy podcast, Nikita Hari, an electronics engineer and educator, shares her journey from academia to industry, emphasising the importance of interdisciplinary work and the role of the UK Young Academy in fostering collaboration.

She discusses her work in engineering education, her involvement in tech start-ups, and her contributions to science and technology diplomacy. Nikita also offers advice to young professionals, highlighting the value of embracing failure and taking risks.

Learn more about Nikita and connect:

• ⁠LinkedIn⁠

• ⁠Website⁠

• ⁠Google Scholar⁠

• ⁠University of Oxford staff profile⁠

• ⁠UK Young Academy website profile⁠

Chapters

00:00:00 Introduction to Nikita Hari

00:03:00 Career journey and education

00:09:00 Interdisciplinary work and innovation

00:15:00 Role in tech startups

00:21:00 Science and technology diplomacy

00:27:00 Advice for young professionals