25 Mar 2024
New Head of Teaching and Design Support Group selected as member of UK Young Academy
Dr Nikita Hari, who joined the Department in February, was one of 32 emerging leaders selected for the network of early career researchers and professionals helping to tackle local and global issues and promote meaningful change
The UK Young Academy connects and develops talented individuals in the young years of their career from a wide range of sectors so they can collaborate to make a difference in the world.
The new cohort of 32 members, recognized for their significant achievements in their respective fields, will join this forum to exchange ideas, share expertise, and engage in policy debates, both locally and globally, addressing challenges in areas of personal significance.
Dr Hari says, “Joining the UK Young Academy, I aspire to work with the collective brilliance of diverse minds to foster collaboration and to architect interdisciplinary initiatives, reimagining the global engineering education landscape”.
Dr Hari joined the Department as the new Head of the Teaching Design Support Group (TDSG) earlier this year. The TDSG plays a pivotal role in enhancing the engineering educational experience of students by orchestrating and supporting a wide array of practical learning activities, from undergraduate (UG) labs and coursework to workshops and outreach initiatives. Furthermore, the group provides essential project guidance to both 3rd and 4th year UG students and postgraduates, aiding in their proficiency with software, lab equipment, and 3D printing.
Dr Hari’s research mainly focuses on systems approach to engineering education and applying machine learning for GaN power electronics. After completing a doctorate in Engineering at the University of Cambridge, Dr Hari undertook a Faculty for Future post-doctoral fellowship at the University of Oxford. She was a Gold Medallist for both her master’s and undergraduate degrees in Engineering. She has bridged careers in academia and industry for a decade, co-founded two Edtech start-ups, with 25 research papers and 60+ keynotes to her credit. Listed in the ‘Top 50 Women in Engineering in UK’ in 2017, Dr. Hari has been recognized globally for her initiatives to support young people, especially girls, into STEM studies, research and entrepreneurship.
A passionate advocate for engineering, Nikita’s vision is to engage, educate and inspire the next wave of changemakers, innovators, and leaders to engineer a better, brighter, and greener world.
