Adam Papworth

Adam Papworth is a Principal Lecturer and Programme Leader of the BSc. (Hons) Product Design Engineering, which he founded in 2012. This innovative and successful programme now resides within the Department of Electronics and Electrical Engineering and recruits a wide range of students every year that have a passion for design.

Beyond his management & teaching roles he has key responsibilities for developing industrial links, co-ordinating “live” industrial projects and supporting the programme’s work placement provision.

Having been actively involved in Engineering, Design and Manufacturing professionally for 36 years, Adam’s approach is best described as “passionate”. The diversity of experience and knowledge gained whilst working in number of OEM’s in the defence and automotive industries alongside a range of SME’s across a myriad of industrial sectors have enabled his work to bridge a number of disciplines which are regarded as being integral elements from design through to manufacturing. These embrace mechanical engineering and product design, material selection, production technology, manufacturing management and production control. Adam’s rich and eclectic knowledge and experience is shared with all his acquaintances.

Through 24 years, Adam has gained an extensive knowledge of both the FE and HE sectors and has been responsible for developing and delivering a range of engineering and manufacturing management programmes from HNC to degree level.

During his time within the Higher Education sector Adam has also created and delivered a range of industrial courses and consultancy programmes. Some of which have won awards. These include:

• Manufacturing Improvement Programme; Jaguar supply chain

The Manufacturing Improvement Programme was based on proven lean tools and techniques for achieving continuous manufacturing improvement. The programme engaged senior managers from participating companies in a ‘Real Time Workshop’. This one day event provided managers an opportunity to experience and understand the benefits that can be obtained using tools and techniques for manufacturing improvement. The outcome was a company action plan of how they would implement the continuous improvement tools and techniques within their companies. This was followed up with a series of half-day workshops for supervisors and operators from the companies. The objective to develop and implement a programme of continuous improvement in the company. Key performance indicators were identified and are measured before, during and after implementation.

Performance Springs Ltd went on to win two out of five awards at the UK’s Northwest Automotive Alliance Awards. This included the overall NAA “Company of the Year” Award in recognition of the company’s partnership approach with customers, design innovation, improved efficiency leading to quicker production times, and its highly motivated employees.

• Lean Six Sigma Implementation KTP project; Vista Panels Ltd

Adam developed this improvement programme, prepared the bid, and supervised the graduate throughout the project. This lead to a range of successful outcomes for the company and the associate winning 2010 Business Leader of Tomorrow Award.

Other industrial courses Adam has developed and delivered include:

• Creativity Engineering workshops; Getrag Ford Transmissions
• Six Sigma workshops; Getrag Ford Transmissions
• Creativity and Innovation workshops; AKSA Acrylics
• Lean Manufacturing workshops; JF Renshaw Ltd.
• Heat Treatment workshops; Goodrich’s Aerospace Systems
• European Leonardo Mobility project to develop and deliver a series of workshops on creativity and innovation to graduate engineers.

Adam currently teaches Design Thinking, Creativity and Innovation at undergraduate and postgraduate levels and regularly is nominated for the Liverpool Student Union’s “Amazing Teacher” awards.

His current research interests focus on the role of creativity as a critical element to innovation and design pedagogy.

Degrees

1997, University of Salford, United Kingdom, BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering
1994, The Engineering Council, United Kingdom, The Engineering Council Part 2 Examination

Certifications

1992, Bolton Institute of Higher Eduction, United Kingdom, Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering
1990, Bolton Institute of Higher Education, United Kingdom, Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
1987, Horwich College of Further Education, National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering
1986, Horwich College of Further Education, CGLI Certificate in Mechanical Engineering

Academic appointments

Principal Lecturer, School of Maritime and Mechanical Engineering, Liverpool John Moores University, 2009 - present
Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Liverpool John Moores University, 2005 - 2009
Programme Manager, Engineering Department, St Helens College, 2001 - 2005
Lecturer, Engineering Department, St Helens College, 1998 - 2001

Postgraduate training

Missile System Design, United Kingdom, BAE Systems, 1994 - 1995