Professor Roger Lumley FTSE FIEAust CPEng NER RPEQ has been appointed Head, Department of Engineering, at La Trobe University.
Professor Lumley sat down with Engineers Australia to discuss his career, and focus for the new role. “Industry engagement will be my number one focus”, says the Professor Roger Lumley.
What inspired you to become an engineer?
When I began studying a Bachelor of Science at The University of Queensland, I took a subject on Metallurgical Engineering. I became very interested in this field and decided to major in it. After completing my undergraduate studies and honours courses in Mining and Metallurgical Engineering, I decided to pursue a career in research and complete a PhD in Materials Engineering.
Tell us about your career journey.
After completing my doctorate, I began working at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Melbourne. During the twelve years I was there, I was promoted to Principal Research Scientist / Engineer and led major projects within the Light Metals and Future Manufacturing Flagships.
In 2012, I joined AW Bell Pty Ltd as the Technical Manager, responsible for Research and Development. AW Bell is an advanced manufacturing company who does metalcasting, production machining, and rapid prototyping using 3D printing techniques. At the time, AW Bell was strategically moving away from a focus on the auto industry to the aerospace, defence and biomedical industries, and my role was heavily involved in this transition. I am fortunate enough to have followed technologies I have developed go from the initial proposal right through to flying on the F35 Joint Strike Fighters.
What has been a career highlight to date?
Apart from that example, which has been an extraordinary experience, while at the CSIRO, my team discovered that high pressure die-castings (as used in around 50% of all aluminium castings made worldwide mostly in the auto industry), are heat treatable, enabling large increases in strength whereas previously this had not been known to be possible due to problems with blistering and dimensional instability. This technology has now been commercialised by a multinational company based in the US. In the long term, it will have lasting impact on reducing vehicle emissions because it facilitates light-weighting of vehicles. In 2009, I received an award from the Prime Minister for this technology (Emerging Leader “Innovation”).
Other career highlights include receiving the 2014 Victorian Professional Engineer of the Year award; winning the Australian Industry Research Group Medal for 2015 (for technology commercialisation); and being elected a Fellow of the Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, also in 2015.
Tell us more about your new role at La Trobe?
As Head of the Engineering Department, my number one focus will be on industry engagement. In addition to our R&D activities in communications engineering, electronic systems engineering, mechatronics, robotics, civil and construction engineering as well as advanced manufacturing, I will have oversight of managing the Civil and Multidisciplinary Engineering courses run at La Trobe’s Bundoora and Bendigo campuses.
The multidisciplinary engineering course, Bachelor of Engineering (Hons), is the first engineering degree in Australia and will allow students to develop cross-discipline and design-backed skills in core subjects including civil, electrical and mechanical engineering, and business.
What are you enjoying so far about your new role?
I am enjoying the experience of a new career. I am not a traditional academic, so I am looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that come with this role. I am hoping to take a different view on the education value chain and contribute to the future of engineering in Australia by securing a work-ready workforce and further establish the links between academia and industry. I want La Trobe graduates to be known for their work-ready skills and ability to add value.
What will you be doing over the next few months as you settle into your role?
Over the next few months, I will focus on rolling out the next phase of the multidisciplinary engineering degree and further engage with industry to develop our future research focus vision.
Do you have any advice for young engineers, just starting their career journey?
Get as much experience as you can. If an opportunity comes your way, take it, and just have a go!
If you would like to contact Prof Lumley to discuss his thoughts above, he can be reached on:
[email protected]
+613 9478 5764