Chemical engineering education innovation
Positioning Manchester as a global leader in the transformation of chemical engineering education by integrating technology, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, and driving socially responsible innovation.
Working with IChemE on Chemical Engineering Curriculum development.
Creators of Graphical Chemical Engineering Design (GCED).
Supporting over 800 students annually.
Working with chemical engineering departments around the world.
Creating the next generation of chemical engineering degrees
We are transforming chemical engineering education through new teaching methods, industry partnerships and educational research.
From virtual labs, simulation and AI-supported learning to project-based curricula and entrepreneurship, our work equips students for evolving global challenges while helping shape the future of chemical engineering education.
We’re reimagining chemical engineering education to prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow - through innovation, collaboration, and real-world impact. Our goal is to make learning meaningful, inclusive, and driven by purpose.
Thomas Rodgers - Group Lead and Professor of Engineering Education
Research
Our areas of research
Active and experiential learning
We’re redesigning the learning experience through hands-on, project-based education that mirrors the complexity of real-world engineering. Our work explores how innovative lab environments, physical and virtual, help students build intuition, confidence, and creative problem-solving skills.
From immersive simulations to live industrial projects, we’re creating experiences where students don’t just learn about chemical engineering, they do it. This research is reshaping classroom practice and enabling institutions globally to make learning more authentic, inclusive, and impactful.
Assessment and feedback innovation
We explore how to make assessment more meaningful, for both students and educators. Our research reimagines traditional assessments by introducing continuous feedback, self- and peer-assessment, and competency-based models that align with professional skills.
By combining technology with pedagogy, we design feedback loops that are faster, fairer, and more formative. This work empowers students to take ownership of their progress and helps educators measure what truly matters: learning that lasts.
Collaborative, social, and inclusivity learning
Our work investigates how team-based and inclusive learning approaches can build stronger educational communities. We study how to elevate student voice, promote belonging, and support diverse learners through co-creation, peer mentoring, and collaborative projects.
By designing learning environments that reflect the value of every contribution, we aim to shift engineering education from competitive to collective. This research contributes to a more equitable and empowering student experience where everyone can participate, lead, and succeed.
Integrated curriculum development
We design and evaluate curriculum models that connect technical knowledge with the wider world. Our research focuses on interdisciplinary teaching and embedding global challenges, like sustainability, ethics, and equity, into core chemical engineering education.
We’re building curricula that reflect the complex systems engineers must navigate, balancing technical skill with real-world responsibility. The result is a more relevant, future-facing education that prepares students to thrive in diverse careers and lead with purpose.
Integration of digital tools and technology
Our research examines how digital technologies, from AI tutors to virtual twins, can enhance how and what students learn. We develop and test blended and online models that adapt to individual needs while maintaining academic rigour.
Whether it’s using generative AI to support feedback or building personalised learning dashboards, we’re driving the digital transformation of engineering education. This work ensures education remains responsive, flexible, and accessible meeting students where they are and preparing them for where they’re going.
Our research impact
Making chemical engineering design more interactive
Our researchers are changing how chemical engineering is taught through interactive resources that bring graphical design methods to life. The Graphical Chemical Engineering Design resource enables students to explore how changing process conditions affects reactions, separations, fluid flow, and heat transfer. Designed to work across devices and integrate directly into virtual learning environments, these tools connect fundamental principles with practical design decisions. Now used in teaching at several universities, the resource is extending access to interactive learning beyond Manchester and supporting educators in moving beyond static textbook graphs.
Challenging stereotypes about who can be an engineer
Our researchers are bringing lesser-told engineering stories into teaching and outreach through Chem Eng Stars, a card game co-created with undergraduate students. Celebrating engineering pioneers from diverse backgrounds, the resource encourages discussion of inclusion while supporting communication and teamwork. It has been used with over 500 young people from underrepresented backgrounds, engaged over 400 people at the Rochdale Science Extravaganza, and reaches over 220 students a year in first-year teamwork sessions. Students rated its ability to challenge stereotypes about who can be a chemical engineer at 4.3 out of 5.
Study with us
Study or research with us
Our researchers play a key role in training the next generation of chemical engineers.
Discover the MSc Advanced Chemical Engineering Discover the PhD / MPhil Chemical Engineering
Connect with us
Our people
- Hosam Aleem - Lecturer in Chemical Engineering
- Abdullatif Alfutimie - Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering
- Emily Cooksey - Reader in Chemical Engineering
- Mauro Luberti - Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering
- Maryam Malekshahian - Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering
- Thomas Rodgers - Professor of Engineering Education
- Salman Shahid - Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering
- Wennie Subramonian - Lecturer in Chemical Engineering
- Bernard Treves Brown - Senior Lecturer in Chemical Engineering