Seb Blair is a University Instructor in Engineering twinned with his role as a PhD researcher within the School of Engineering, Design and Technology, and brings with him experiences from different industries and relationships with professional bodies and organisations.

Seb is a University Instructor in Engineering twinned with his role as a PhD researcher in the School of Engineering, Design and Technology at Canterbury Christchurch University and a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), working towards his professional registration.

Seb’s PhD research project is centred around NHS Healthcare Technologies, and is investigating IoT, Big Data and Machine Learning for real-time Asset Management to improve patient and staff experiences. His PhD research has provided industrial links with Design Concept Engineering (DCE), who specialise in the development of robotic control systems, unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) and related technologies including autonomy, position, navigation, and timing (‘PNT’) systems, communications solutions and novel payloads.

Seb, grew up in a low-economic postcode area and went to a school that didn’t support his dyslexia, having left school at the age of 16/17 he went to work in many industries, temping, retail, security and hospitality before attending a HEI at the age of 30.

Seb said, “I came to university with 16 years of work and life experience, which provided me with numerous transferable skills and a strong work ethic”.

During his undergraduate programme, he set to reinvent himself and volunteered for the IET and to be a STEM ambassador.

Seb said, “Volunteering for the IET has given so many opportunities to network, travel and develop my soft and hard skills” He has been on a county, a regional (UK) and a global committee for the IET and is also one of their Education Officers.

Seb has be appointed Chair of the Finance Committee to the Communities Committee UK, with a budget of £500k, and starts the IET volunteer role in October 2020.

Seb has recently accrued 300+ hours as a STEM ambassador and provides technical advice to the STEM Hub at Canterbury Christ Church University.

Seb is also an award-winning student:

• The Institution of Engineering and Technology Paul Fletcher Medal 2020 (Shortlisted- pending)
• The University of Greenwich Merit for Outstanding Achievement 2020
• The University of Greenwich David Fussey Prize for Student Endeavour 2020
• The Worshipful Company of Engineers – Cadzow Smith Engineering Award (Shortlisted) 2019-20
• The University of Greenwich – Ede and Ravenscroft Prize Outstanding Contribution to Faculty 2018-19
• The University of Greenwich – Ede and Ravenscroft Prize Outstanding Contribution to Faculty 2017-18
• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) – IET Volunteer Core Values Awards ’Teamwork’ 2018
• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) – IET On Campus Group of the Year Winner 2018
• The University of Greenwich – Vice Chancellors Award for Excellence 2017-18
• Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) – IET Horizons Bursary Award Winner 2017

If you would like to get in touch with Seb to talk about his research, volunteering and new role at Canterbury Christ Church University, visit his LinkedIn profile at https://www.linkedin.com/in/sebastianblair