Emma Williams works for Mott MacDonald and was recently awarded the Eloise Plunkett Award. She used the award to travel and visit small hydropower plants in Sweden; and to learn about their applicability to the UK
Why did you apply for the QUEST Eloise Plunkett Award?
When I received the invitation to apply for this award I saw it as an ideal opportunity to combine my interests for travel and engineering. The award also had a focus on an innovative approach that meant I was able to propose a trip onboard a cargo ship, something I would never normally have considered as a travel option.
What was the purpose of your trip and did you achieve this?
Sweden has committed itself to break dependence on fossil energy without building more nuclear power plants. The purpose of my trip was to visit small hydropower plants in Sweden to experience ‘first hand’ the solutions adopted and to learn about their applicability to the UK. Sweden is ranked number one in the Sustainability Ratings for OEDC countries and I wanted to see first hand the sustainable energy and transport solutions in a country recognised for its approach to sustainability. As well as visiting a number of hydroelectricity plants, I arranged appointments with a power company and two of Sweden’s universities.
What did you learn about civil engineering while you were away?
Having previously travelled to far away places such as Canada and New Zealand, this trip reminded me of the importance of looking closer to home for civil engineering guidance and expertise. Seeing the success of renewable energy schemes in Sweden and talking to academics there has made me more optimistic about the realities of achieving global sustainable energy supplies in the future. Civil engineering is the key to implementing sustainable solutions to enable future generations to enjoy the experience of living on planet earth. Experiencing a small part of our global profession has also reminded me of the importance of wider communication and knowledge sharing of our professional expertise.
How do you think winning this award and travelling has helped/changed you?
Winning this award has been a great experience. I always had it in my mind that I would travel alone and that I would visit a country where my employer does not have an office. The reasons for this were to allow my trip to be independent and flexible and to encourage me to be more confident in my own skills and abilities. The award enabled me to visit a country that I have never been to before and to meet some fantastic individuals along the way, and I will never forget my first ever view of the Northern Lights.
Do you think that your experience has helped your civil engineering career?
Yes, I believe that my experience has helped my civil engineering career. By winning the award I have been able to raise my professional profile both within the company that I work for and the wider profession. The award has given me the opportunity to research an area of engineering which is not a specific aspect of my current daily role and has therefore widened my knowledge and skills.
What advice would you give to someone else who is thinking about applying for the award?
Go for it! Take the time to think and plan your objectives and itinerary to make the most of your experience, but don’t forget to be flexible too. I found out five days before my trip that the cargo ship company had a change of policy and would no longer allow me to travel! However, I did get to spend more time in Sweden and was able to arrange additional hydropower trips through the contact I had made over there.