Research challenge!  

Connect beyond academia to transform your ideas into action

If you’re an early-career or a PhD researcher, from any discipline, check out these exciting industry-informed marine engineering challenges.  

From gently removing marine creatures from dock foundations in an environmentally friendly way to developing tiny drones with HD cameras as well as new ways to scan ships in murky waters and the unenviable task of unblocking submarine toilets! We would love to hear from you if you think your research could shed an innovative light on these challenges. 

Join us to spark ideas and explore industry perspectives in an informal and collaborative environment with members of the team from Babcock, a major engineering services company.

This workshop and industry challenge event are designed to support you in early-stage networking and lay the foundations for potential future collaborations.

Participation in both events is free and travel costs to Exeter for the challenge event will be covered (in-line with the University of Exeter’s Travel Policy).

Align your research with real industry challenges

Audience: This opportunity is aimed at doctoral and early-career researchers from anywhere in the UK – no prior industry or networking experience required 

  • Wednesday 26 November 2025 10:00-11:30 Online workshop – Communicating research beyond academia
    • Optional 1:1 coaching session 
  • Monday 8 December 2025 10:00-13:00 In-person networking event – Exploring industry challenges with Babcock in Exeter (lunch included)
    • Further exploration of promising ideas may take place with Babcock Devonport Royal Dockyards in 2026 
SIGN UP BY 21 NOVEMEBER

Online workshop: Communicating research beyond academia 

This online interactive workshop prepares you to connect with non-academic organisations. Learn how to identify areas for collaboration, craft compelling narratives with clarity and start to build your toolkit to effective jargon-free communication for networking beyond academia.  

  • Identify areas for collaboration
  • Craft concise messages
  • Communicate with confidence

In-person networking event: Exploring industry challenges

Discover the workplace culture, approach to innovation, and diverse support structures of major engineering services company, Babcock, at our in-person networking event in Exeter.

Join other researchers and industry representatives for an introduction to networking and facilitated round table discussions about the challenge areas.

Tell us which of these four challenges is most relevant to your research and why when you sign up!

1: Launching tiny drones from remote operated vehicles with cameras and floodlights 

2: Gently removing marine growth from the hard-to-reach internal surfaces of steel dock foundations

3: New ways to accurately measure the hull of a ship as it docks in murky water

4: Clearing calcium deposits from the narrow pipework of marine sewage systems 

SIGN UP

These events are being piloted as part of the DBAA research project. If you choose to participate, you will be asked to read the participant information sheet, sign a research consent form, and complete evaluation questionnaires before and after the sessions.

Babcock is a leading provider of critical, complex engineering services, which support national defence, save lives and protect communities. It focuses on three highly regulated markets – defence, emergency services and civil nuclear – delivering vital services and managing complex assets in the UK and internationally.