“I want the world’s best ideas to originate here in Britain, and Bath is one of our most successful engineering universities.” That was James Dyson, speaking this week about the appointment of Gareth Jones (pictured right) as Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Bath.
Continuing his praise, Dyson also commented: “Gareth knows what it takes to turn an engineering concept into a technology that can be exported worldwide. As the Dyson Chair of Design Engineering, he will provide invaluable first-hand experience of inventing.”
Professor Gareth Jones was previously Product Development Director at Dyson, whose headquarters are situated in nearby Malmesbury. Jones will borrow from Dyson’s approach to teach entrepreneurship and innovation to students on the Mechanical Engineering undergraduate course. Whilst teaching at the university, Jones will also continue to run his own design consultancy, Freshworks Ltd, in Bath.
On top of his 8 years of experience at Dyson, Jones will also use his experience as a visiting professor to the Royal College of Art and Imperial College London to teach students at Bath University.
“I look forward to helping develop a new generation of design engineers, bringing to bear my creativity, technical and industry experience”
Professor Jones said: “Design is embedded as a core theme running through the four years of Bath’s Mechanical Engineering undergraduate programmes.
“I look forward to helping develop a new generation of design engineers, bringing to bear my creativity, technical and industry experience.”
Jones’ professorship marks a step up in the support Dyson already gives to Bath University. Since 2011, the James Dyson foundation has provided scholarship to one PhD student every year. The Jeremy Fry Scholarship, also set up by the foundation, commemorates the work of the eponymous Bath-based engineer who died in 2005.
This year, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering student Esther Dunstan-Sewell received the Jeremy Fry scholarship for her innovative low-cost, lightweight pram, weighing only 8kg and costing £80.
You can find Professor Jones on Linkedin. For more updates from Bath University, follow @UniofBath.
