Project Lead: Sandyha Mouse, Department of Chemical Engineering.

To enhance interdisciplinary awareness among our engineering students (UG, PGT, and PGR), we aim to launch an education series in collaboration with social and management scientists at the University of Bath. Through this initiative, we aim to equip engineering students with the awareness, tools and skills to understand the perspectives and engage with multiple stakeholders to navigate complex real-world challenges. To shape this series, we will conduct focus group sessions to gather insights from current engineering, social science and management students and staff on gaps in interdisciplinary understanding, determine the most engaging delivery formats (mini-talks, panel discussions, or engineer/social scientist interviews) as well as opportunities to maximise mutual benefit. Additionally, we will work with a psychology student to develop pre- and post-activity surveys to measure shifts in participants' attitudes and perceptions. Expected benefits include enhanced student cognition of multistakeholder perspectives on complex interdisciplinary real-world scenarios, a more inclusive approach to problem-solving, increased collaboration across faculties, especially for the students, and potential development of interdisciplinary student-led projects (VIPs). Success will be measured by event attendance, survey feedback on observed shifts in student perspectives—creating a stronger foundation for interdisciplinary engagement within engineering education.

Project evaluation due Autumn 2026.