Graduating in electronic engineering, I worked in design for two large electronics companies before moving into technical sales, advising UK companies on solving measurement and instrumentation problems. Wanting to move into manufacturing engineering, I studied for another degree and obtained a position in a global power generation company. Initially working on engineering component problems and product improvement on the assembly lines, I moved to a role responsible for the technical management of a knowledge-based sales order entry system.

My STEM work

Since 2003 I have been involved in many STEM outreach activities, from K'nex Challenges at local primary schools and student engineering challenges at secondary schools' Industry Days to student project assessments in "Dragons' Den" style exercises. I have also supported the Institute of Physics outreach programme "Lab in a Lorry".

In the Big Bang Science and Engineering Competition, I have been a regional and national judge moderator. I have participated in STEM events organised by TeenTech for primary and secondary pupils, and served as an EES (Engineering Education Scheme) Assessor. In 2017, I was a judge for the British Science Association Youth Grand Challenges and Head Judge at the JP Morgan Schools Challenge at the Science Museum, London.

Since 2019 I have judged the Big Bang Robotics Competition at regional and national levels, and since 2020 the IET / First Lego League robotics tournament at regional and national finals. I have also judged the international finals of the BIEA International STEM Youth Competition and, most recently, had the marvellous opportunity to be a judge for the IGO.

Awards

• 2017 EBP Investor in Education Award
• 2018 Big Bang GEM Award (Going the Extra Mile)

Post-nominals

• B.Sc (Hons) (Combined Technologies)
• MIET – Member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology
• FRSA – Fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce

Dr John Grainger qualified with a joint BA in primary teaching and psychology from Murdoch University in Perth, Western Australia. Actively engaged with contemporary research, he completed a B.Ed (Hons) and moved into a secondary teaching and administrative role in Perth. His MBA and DBA dissertations were instrumental in building a scholarly knowledge base, and he taught MBA students in Singapore during his long service leave.

Dr Grainger thoroughly enjoyed six challenging years in the UAE as Academic Chair of Business, ICT and B.Ed programmes. During his tenure he was instrumental in developing two new colleges, introducing innovative programmes at both, and invited Toastmasters International to hold joint meetings for both genders, with permission from the local sheikh.

In 2008 he was appointed Pro Vice-Chancellor of Murdoch University Dubai (MUD). The campus's grand opening was presided over by the UAE Minister of Education, and despite the financial crisis of 2010/11, MUD thrived and was profitable within two years.

From 2012 to 2018 he served as Provost of Lancaster University Ghana (LUG). Within three years of opening, student numbers, including a substantial number of Nigerian students, required the campus to double in size. In 2018, Dr Grainger returned to Dubai to set up Curtin University Dubai (CUD) and was appointed Advisor to the Board.

In 2019 Webster University (USA) invited Dr Grainger to become Founding Rector of Webster University Tashkent (WUT), in partnership with the Ministry of Higher Education. Community interest was overwhelming: on opening day WUT admitted 90% of its five-year recruitment target.

Dino works at AstraZeneca Cambridge (UK) as Head of Research in the recently formed Centre for AI within Data Sciences & AI, BioPharmaceuticals R&D. His mission is to devise innovative products and solutions using machine learning algorithms that make the drug discovery pipeline more efficient and aid a better understanding of biology and medicinal chemistry.

He obtained his doctorate in machine learning at the University of Bonn in 2018, focusing on foundational machine learning and kernel methods. After research scientist and post-doctoral positions at the University of Nottingham and King's College London, he joined the Late Respiratory and Immunology machine learning group at AstraZeneca Cambridge.

In 2022 he advanced to Senior Director in Machine Learning and AI, initially holding dual responsibilities as Head of the Audio and Signal Processing team and interim Head of Research. In March 2023 he was appointed Head of Research at the Centre for AI and a member of the Leadership Team, underscoring his commitment to driving innovation and excellence in machine learning and AI.

For almost 25 years Dr Siljak has been involved in academic competitions: first as a successful competitor nationally and internationally in mathematics, physics and informatics, and then as a trainer, organiser, referee and problem proposer.

As an academic, he values interdisciplinarity in teaching and research, and insists on the integration of curiosity and innovation in the learning process. His research connects science, technology and society through the framework of complex systems theory.

Dr Rodney is Chair of the Department of Teacher Education and an Associate Professor in Education. His work involves preparing K-12 teachers and learning design professionals committed to democratic and socially just learning approaches powered by innovation and technology. He teaches courses in technology education, social foundations and innovative practices.

His research focuses on emerging technologies, new learning and design approaches, and collaborative, meaningful learning with technology. He has also developed software applications for teacher evaluations and learning games for teacher candidates.

Dr Rodney holds degrees in History and Government from the University of the West Indies at Mona, Jamaica, and degrees in Educational Technology and Curriculum from Florida Atlantic University. He continues to write on the history of the Caribbean, American history, African slavery in the Atlantic world, international politics, and American education history and policy. His publications have appeared in the Journal of Philosophy and History of Education (JOPHE) and Worldwide Hospitality and Tourism Themes.

He has taught teachers in multiple countries across the K-12 spectrum, and is a board member of The Soulard School, Connected Learning, and The Alliance for Interracial Dignity in Webster Groves, Missouri, as well as the Webster Center for Creativity and Innovation in Geneva.

With over 15 years of experience in the educational sector across five countries, Keri Zeller brings a wealth of knowledge and innovative practice to our organisation. Her extensive background in curriculum design and training programmes has significantly impacted diverse learning communities worldwide. Her expertise spans curriculum development, instructional methodologies, educational technologies and the integration of generative AI into learning environments.

As a doctoral candidate in Entrepreneurial Leadership in Education at Johns Hopkins University, Keri demonstrates a deep commitment to advancing educational excellence and innovation. Her work at organisations such as Westhill Institute and Webster University Tashkent has showcased her skills in project management, needs assessment and the evaluation of training programmes.

Keri's drive to create engaging, high-quality learning experiences aligns with our mission to inspire and challenge young minds around the globe, and her leadership in educational innovation keeps us at the forefront of pedagogical advancement.

Gary A. Bolles writes and lectures around the world on the future of work, learning and the organisation. He is the author of The Next Rules of Work: The mindset, skillset, and toolset to lead your organization through uncertainty, a guide to the world of work in the post-pandemic era. He has over 1 million learners on LinkedIn Learning, with courses such as "Learning Mindset", "Learning Agility" and "Leading Change".

As adjunct Chair for the Future of Work at Singularity Group, he helps people understand the impact and opportunities of exponential change for individuals, organisations, communities and countries. As a partner in the consulting agency Charrette LLC ("Initiatives With Impact"), he helps organisations, communities, educators and governments develop strategies for "what's next". As co-founder of eParachute, he helps job-hunters and career changers with programmes inspired by What Color Is Your Parachute?, the world's enduring career manual.

Bolles is the former editorial director of six technology publications, a serial entrepreneur and a former Silicon Valley executive. He co-founded SoCap, the world's largest gathering of impact entrepreneurs and investors, and is dedicated to ensuring that all people can access meaningful, well-paid work and lifelong learning opportunities.