As an inventor and engineer and I've always been fascinated by the people that make the world around us - from the homes we live in, the tech that we use to the jewellery that we wear. I want to meet the people who shape the world around us and find out...how they made it!
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Ep8 - They Made It: Fran Scott Part 2
This is the second part of my interview with Fran Scott- maker, presenter and pyrotechnician. You can hear Part 1 here. In this episode we talk about times Fran has failed, her company and her recent dyslexia diagnosis.
You can find Fran: YouTube | Facebook
A BIG THANK YOU to The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 for supporting this episode, learn more about the other projects they support here.
Ep7 - They Made It: Fran Scott Part 1
This week my guest is Fran Scott- maker, presenter and pyrotechnician. Many of us grew up seeing fran on our screens from her demonstrations on CBBC’s Absolute Genius with Dick and Dom, or more recently as the Engineering judge on Channel 4’s Lego Masters or perhaps as an expert on Abandoned Engineering. Engineering communication is an important part of bringing in more young people into an industry that has a massive skills gap. Fran and I talked for hours (literally) so I’ve cut down our conversation and split it into two parts. I couldn’t cut down Fran’s words of wisdom anymore, there was just too much good stuff. In part one we talk about how Fran first got interested in Science, how she got her first job in TV and sending random emails can get yo the job or your dreams!
You can find Fran: YouTube | Facebook
A BIG THANK YOU to The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 for supporting this episode, learn more about the other projects they support here.
Ep6 - They Made It: Kisha Bradley
Kisha Bradley is the founder of Brightbox a CIC that creates places and spaces where people come together to create, explore and learn. In todays episode we talk about how we give communities a voice, the challenges she has faced and a great story from her time working in the capital building. Kisha has 13 years’ experience as a mentor and educator of engineering and design thinking in the 30% most deprived communities in England, the US and Germany. She was a research and development engineer at Fortune 500 companies including Cummins Engines and Bosch. She studied Mechanical Engineering in the US and holds a master’s in international business management from the University of Sheffield.
A BIG THANK YOU to The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 for supporting this episode, learn more about the other projects they support here.
Ep5 - They Made It: Jess Gaskell
Jess Gaskell is a video games producer. She fell into the games industry after a temporary front of house role at Sumo Digital, and has since worked on titles such as Hitman and Sackboy: A Big Adventure. When I spoke to Jess she was working at Sumo but has since moved to Media Molecule. We talk about how she got into the games industry, why we need more women in technology and how you can get into this industry.
A BIG THANK YOU to The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 for supporting this episode, learn more about the other projects they support here.
Ep4 - They Made It: Jessica Flinn- Allen
In this episode we are talking to Jessica Flinn- Allen of JessicaFlinn.co.uk and FlinnAndSteel.co.uk
Jessica is the founder, lead designer and gemstone expert. Her award winning jewellery brand uses technology to create beautiful non-traditional forever rings using unusual diamonds and gemstones.
We talk about how she became a jewellery designer, the ups and downs of business and how her and her team use technology to create stunning jewellery.
A BIG THANK YOU to The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 for supporting this episode, learn more about the other projects they support here.
Ep3 - They Made It: Roma Agrawal MBE
Roma Agrawal MBE is an award-winning engineer, author and broadcaster. We talk about how she ended up working on the Shard and how she became an engineer. We talk about books and her podcast and the incredible work she is doing making engineering and engineering history more inclusive.
Get her book | Listen to her podcast
A BIG THANK YOU to The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 for supporting this episode, learn more about the other projects they support here.
Ep2 - They Made It: Chloe Sales
Chloe Sales trained to be a hairdresser before deciding that it wasn't for her. While doing some holiday cover she asked to have a go at welding and the rest is history. Chloe talks about her journey and the ups and downs that lead her to where she is now.
This episode was recorded (in a covid safe environment) in the Lincoln Electric UK offices, so please forgive any sound issues.
A massive THANK YOU to Lincoln Electric UK for supporting this episode. Check out there work they are doing with Women In Welding.
Ep1 - They Made It: Shrouk Al-Attar
Shrouk El-Attar is an electronics design engineer who was born in Egypt and has been living in the United Kingdom as a refugee since 2007. She is an activist for refugee rights in the UK, and for LGBT rights in her native Egypt.
Shrouk performs as a belly dancer in an act called "Dancing Queer", to raise funds for legal defence fees for LGBT people in Egypt, and to help with relocation for those persecuted and at risk because of their gender or sexuality. In this episode we talk about her career to date, how she became an engineer and how she is continuing the fight for others to have access to the opportunities that were denied to her at the time.
You can follow Shrouk and the incredible work that she does:
Instagram | Website | LinkedIn
Badass Engineers is available on Anchor FM
This episode is sponsored by RS Grassroots the Engineering & Technology Youth Empowerment team at RS Components.
They want to develop the future Engineering workforce by supporting everyone from first-year students through to aspiring entrepreneurs. They create valuable opportunities, activities & experiences for students and young people all around the world, aiming to bridge the gap between university & the workplace.
What is 'They Made It'?
I want to find out more about the people who shape the world around us. From technology to jewellery I want to talk to the people who shape our everyday lives. Join me for Season one, launching July 2021.