Speakers

Prof. Penny Atkins (IFEAA CEO) has a background in leadership of research, development and engagement activities from academia and industry in roles including Head of Technology Strategy at Ricardo UK and Director for the Advanced Engineering Centre at University of Brighton.

She has led £3.6m of research and development programmes in fuels, transport and energy systems funded by Innovate UK, EPSRC, Advanced Propulsion Centre and OFGEM. She also has expertise in stakeholder engagement, working with Advanced Propulsion Centre to found the Transport Energy Network, focussing on sustainable fuel use in transport, and leading the Academic Spoke for thermal propulsion systems which aimed to bring together academic and industrial communities to support a transition to net zero transport.

She has championed equality and diversity activities within large research projects and supported organisational activities to promote equality, diversity and inclusion such as Engineering School committees and University Athena Swan awards teams. She has participated in STEM engagement activities across primary and sixth-form age ranges, supporting Green Goblins and CREST award schemes. Penny is a visiting Professor at the University of Brighton.