b'Member News November 2021 15Meet our early career membersInspiring innovation withConor Chaplin BEng MSc MIETAlthough only 26, Conor Chaplin BEng MSc MIET, has already worked on a variety of projects that pushed himas an engineer to achieve great things. I already feel like I have a lot to beHaving that curious approach to things has proud of in my early career, he says.been so important in understanding the One project really sticks out from 2020interdependencies between organisations during the COVID-19 pandemic whenand teams and making sure we deliverConor Chaplin BEng MSc MIETI was a Transport Strategy Officer atthe best experience for people. One of the biggest challenges, Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM).Conor finds, is introducing Using the existing CCTV on GreaterAs a graduate engineer, Conoror integrating new systems Manchesters transport network, we ranjoined a highly specialised video footage through an AI platformbody within the MoD, Defenceor processes into business augmented by behavioural analytics toEquipment and Supportas usual activities.get a better understanding of social- (DE&S), which is responsible forIt can be particularly challenging when distancing levels in transport interchanges.equipping the UKs military. there is resistance to changing how things This showed us where passengershave always been done, he says. This is were gathering or coming into closeMy first role at DE&S was with the UKwhy its so important for engineers to not contact with each other and allowedMilitary Flight Training System (UKMFTS)only be technically competent, but also us to target interventions, like one-waywhich delivers integrated flight trainingwell-rounded individuals who know how systems and positive reinforcementfor all branches of the UK military, fromto form effective working relationships.notices to improve social distancing. cargo and fast-jet pilots through to observer and surveillance crew, he says. More than just a member Something Ive learnt that IBeing a graduate engineer in that environment was great in terms of the think is particularly importanttechnical aspects, however I was also for those of us still in our earlyexposed to how important some of theBeing an IET member careers, is to keep askingnon-technical aspects of engineering are,has definitely broadened he says. Working on soft skills like conflict questions. By constantly askingresolution and open communication weremy horizons in terms of questions, no matter howimperative, as well as the importanceunderstanding how different of embedding safety and transparencyengineering professions and simple, to try and understandas part of a healthy work culture.the perspective of differentspecialities fit together.Recently, Conor has helped to grow TfGMs people, you get a much betterinnovation strategy, which includes building idea of how everything fitsa roadmap for developing and deployingApart from the technical side of together, which makes it muchnew modes and technologies that willthings, issues around equality, help meet targets for 50% of all trips indiversity and inclusion are very easier to solve problems andthe region to be made by sustainableimportant to me and I am really be an effective engineer. modes and reaching carbon-neutralitypleased to see that the IET is taking a by 2040. Recently Ive worked on someleading role in promoting these values projects using artificial intelligence (AI)across engineering. In particular, Ive recently joined Lime, one of theand machine learning to improve ourthe #IAmAnEngineer campaign to biggest micromobility operators globally,services, he says. We deployed a numbershow the need for greater equality who are running e-scooter trials inof smart cameras on traffic signals whichand diversity across engineering and London and Greater Manchester, as UKuse AI to improve signalling efficiencytechnology was really encouraging, Cities Manager. A big part of my role iscompared to existing systems. This isas is the IETs regular support for working closely with cities to integratehelping to reduce congestion and journeyPride and LGBT STEM Day. micromobility into public transport systemstimes and, as a result, reduce pollution.so we can provide a wider range of sustainable travel options for passengers.Read Conors full story on our Early Career Hub: theiet.org/earlycareer'