Roma Agrawal MBE - Nuts and Bolts

This inaugural lecture is in recognition of Professor Laing Barden CBE, the first Vice-Chancellor of Northumbria University and marks the launch of The Barden Scholarship, which offers academically talented students the opportunity to study regardless of their social or economic circumstances.

Roma Agrawal MBE is an award-winning engineer, author and broadcaster. She is best known as the structural engineer behind the foundations and defining peak of The Shard - the tallest building in Western Europe. However, her very first job after graduating from university was to design and build the distinctive footbridge that crosses Newcastle Central Motorway, linking Northumbria University’s east and west city campuses and improving access for the community.

Northumbria University awarded Roma an Honorary Degree in recognition of her outstanding career as a leading female structural engineer, as well as for her work in striving to promote engineering careers to young people and under-represented groups. She was awarded the MBE in 2018 for services to engineering.

In her lecture, Nuts and Bolts - Seven Small Inventions that Changed the World (in a Big Way), Roma will deconstruct our most complex feats of engineering into seven fundamental inventions: the nail, spring, wheel, lens, magnet, string and pump. Together, they have enabled humanity to see the invisible, build the spectacular, communicate across vast distances, and even escape our planet.

Roma will focus on the surprising journeys of three of these inventions, revealing how handmade Roman nails led to modern skyscrapers, how the potter’s wheel enabled space exploration, and how humble lenses helped her conceive a child against the odds.

A drinks reception will be served from 5.30pm, prior to the lecture at 6pm.