UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN)

🚄 What an incredible start to the UKRRIN Student Conference 2025 at the University of Sheffield! 🎓🥳 With over 95 delegates from 14+ academic institutions and 7+ professional organisations, the event showcased an impressive 67 student presentations on cutting-edge railway projects. The conference featured engaging keynote talks from industry professionals, highlighting the brilliant work being done by PhD students across the country. A huge congratulations to all the presenters and everyone involved in making the first day of this event a success. Looking forward to seeing how these innovations shape the future of rail! 🌍 #UKRRINSC2025 #SheffieldIsSuper #Sheffield #Engineering , The University of Sheffield UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN)

Earlier this week, Philomenah Holladay and I had the pleasure and privilege of hosting nearly 100 in-person, and over 70 online delegates at The University of Sheffield as part of #UKRRINSC2025. "...all aspects were enjoyable!", "...great opportunity to meet numerous people from many different fields who are all working in railways...", "very well put together event which ran seamlessly and came across as very professional", "...enjoyed every presentation and the standard was very high..." I've organised many events through my research journey, and with my work with The Scouts and Railway Challenge at Sheffield, but this is easily the one I am most proud of - thank you to those who left kind feedback. We started this journey in early June 2024 (from scratch!) with the goal of delivering the first in a series of student led conferences for UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN). In a very short space of time this involved; creating branding and merchandise, garnering interest from the UK Rail Research community, gathering support and sponsors, launching the event, dealing with abstracts, and liaising with suppliers. Ultimately we delivered an event that gave students, researchers, academics, and industry leaders the chance to communicate cutting edge research, network with peers, forge new connections, and space to think about where their research fits within an ever shifting #rail #industry landscape. This event has taken a lot of time and careful planning, but has well exceeded our own expectations in terms of interest, attendance, and quality of output. My particular thanks to the Railway Industry Association, RSSB, The PWI, School of Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering, University of Sheffield, Paul Plummer (University of Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE)), Stephen Lewis CEng (British Steel), Mark Burstow (Network Rail), Dr. Brian Counter (The PWI), Noel Dolphin & Sam Hayes, PhD (Furrer+Frey AG), Felix Schmid, Lucas Biazon Cavalcanti, James Heginbottom, Richard Thomson, and James Scott for sponsoring, supporting, and speaking at the event. Really though, thanks to everyone who attended and presented - I look forward to seeing you at the next one! David Fletcher, Roger Lewis, Kate Tomlinson #conference #phd

Today we supported the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) Student Conference at the The University of Sheffield. Our colleague, Dr. Stephen Lewis CEng, Rail Technologies Manager, delivered a keynote speech and took part in the panel discussion. We also exhibited at the event, with Steve being joined by Dr. Gloria Taiwo-Adegbola, Rail Technologist. The conference brought together early career researchers working at UKRRIN partner institutions, and beyond, to provide them with the opportunity to share their work with peers and to build networks across academia and industry. This was one of the first academic events held during Rail200 – the 200th anniversary of the rail industry. Gloria and Steve are pictured at our stand. #BuildingStrongerFutures

Happy New Year! Excitingly, tomorrow (7th January) is the first day of #UKRRINSC2025 at The University of Sheffield. The event is completely sold out, with over 95 delegates from 14+ institutions in attendance. However, if you are interested in any of the talks listed in the programme below, online attendance is welcomed. Sign up here!: https://lnkd.in/eMi6GfWX All conference materials (including posters and presentations) can be found on RSSB's dedicated SPARK page here: https://lnkd.in/emVaDj-s School of Mechanical, Aerospace & Civil Engineering, University of Sheffield, UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) #conference #Railway200

We're all set up for a day of #innovation and #networking at today's Railway Industry Association Unlocking Innovation Glasgow event with Julian Stow from The University of Huddersfield and University of Birmingham Centre for Railway Research and Education (BCRRE)'s Mani Entezami and Jenny Illingsworth. Pop across to have a chat about #research, #education and #ideas

Exactly one month ago today, we were The University of Huddersfield for our second #UKRRINinspire event! Delegates joined our Rolling Stock Centre leads at the Institute of Railway Research and RSSB to discuss how academia and industry can work together to deliver the Rail Technical Strategy. We explored the refreshed routemaps for the low emissions, optimised train operations and efficient and reliable assets priorities, as well as case studies of research underway in these areas, that is helping us step closer to the shared rail industry goals. Find out more: https://lnkd.in/eV5NpWjh #railtechnicalstrategy #rail

An early start today for Kevin Blacktop, Chris Phillimore, Lei Chen and The University of Huddersfield's Paul Allen to reach the Railway Industry Association first day of its annual conference and showcase UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN). Very interesting topics discussed so far in the conference and lots of valuable conversations at the stand. If you're at the conference tomorrow, pop along to have a chat! #research #innovation #technologies

We were very happy to host Prof Dato’ Ir. Ts. Dr. Ruzairi bin Abdul Rahim and colleagues from the Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia at the Institute of Railway Research in the The University of Huddersfield on Tuesday this week, when we also signed a Memorandum of Understanding. We hope to deepen our collaboration's and work together on railway research. Yann Bezin Adam Bevan Alistair Sambell

🚨 Final Call! 🚨 The deadline for submitting your abstract for the WCRR 2025 is just around the corner—this Friday, October 18! Don't miss your chance to showcase your work and share your research results ideas or projects to a captivated in-person audience. An incredible opportunity to highlight your contributions to the global rail industry. Ready to make your mark? For submission details and more information, visit: https://lnkd.in/dX9fG_HM #WCRR2025 #IHHA2025 #RailResearchWeek INTERNATIONAL HEAVY HAUL ASSOCIATION MxV Rail Informa Connect Australia

This afternoon the RIA North Rail Summit, hosted by Unipart Rail at the UK Rail Research and Innovation Network (UKRRIN) Innovation Hub saw Ian Young from Network Rail update attendees on progress on CP7, followed by a lively Q&A session. Ian will be speaking to the RIA SME group in Leeds next week. Isayas T. from Octavius Infrastructure discussed CP7 and developing a supply chain for their recently won Eastern Framework. Hitachi's Lorna Derrick BA (Hons) and David Taylor delivered an interesting  discussion on sustainable growth and investment for the north. Noting RIAs valuable support for members throughout challenging times over the decades. And RIA’s Richard Carr summed up with key take aways from the event – including TPE having secure funding available, encouraging members to use RIA North to get access to the devolved authorities, emphasising that Stadler are keen to engage the supply chain and how Unipart Rail are bringing innovation to the sector. Finally, there was more networking. Those new to rail took part in an Early Careers Workshop with Network Rail’s David Bassett, and a series of productive Meet The Buyer appointments were hosted by Stadler Unipart Rail Octavius Infrastructure Costain Group PLC Alstom and The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) #RIA #RIANorth #Rail #UKRail