Keynote Speakers

Pete Mylon is a National Teaching Fellow, specialising in making, makerspaces and student-led learning, and has worked with many institutions across the world to support them in creating and growing makerspaces, from universities in Malaysia to refugee camps in Jordan. 

Having graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a Master-degree in Mechanical Engineering, Pete worked in a mechanical and structural engineering consultancy before beginning his PhD in 2009. His doctoral studies focused on the impact of medical gloves on manual performance and involved designing and building test rigs to simulate medical and surgical procedures.

Pete worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Manchester, designing test equipment for in vivo measurement of contact lens friction. In 2015, he returned to Sheffield to teach in the University’s brand new engineering building, The Diamond, creating and delivering practical laboratory classes in dynamics and revolutionising the Engineering Applications teaching in manufacturing technology for first year engineering students. In 2017, Pete worked with a team of students to create The iForge, the UK’s first student-led makerspace. Run by a team of over 40 students, it provides a space for students to learn practical skills and collaborate, both as part of and outside the curriculum, in a relaxed environment, and is developing a global reputation. Later, he established the UNIMAKER conference for staff and students involved in making in higher education.

Pete is passionate about student-led learning and is always looking for new opportunities for students to work across disciplines and gain real-world experience. .

Ken is a 52 year old Handcyclist, for the last 12 -14 years. Acquired a disability, Complex Regional Pain Syndrome(CRPS), as a results of an industrial Injury in 2009 while working on the Railway in the UK. Originally from the US but moved to the UK in in 2005 as a chance to get to know his ancestry and a culture that was an aspect of his upbringing as a first generation American. While in school he had a strong interest in design and Engineering, as well as cycling but didn’t pursue Engineering as a career path due to cultural expectations that he later learned were inaccurate. Eventually went on to study Commercial Aviation and received a private fixed wing license and Commercial Helicopter pilots licence before that path was curtailed by a heath anomaly. Continued his career path in transportation as a Bus Driver and Streetcar Operator in Seattle which eventually led to becoming a Train driver in Scotland. After receiving his Industrial Injury, he stumbled across handcycling and, for lack of a better term, became addicted to it. After discovering the restrictions thathis disability had for progression within Paracycling he then sought out new avenues to progress in it and eventually joined forces with the University of Liverpool where he powered their fist handcycle to two world records alongside Paralympian Karen Darke. Futher to the the performance aspect of handcycling, he has become a cycling coach, and has established a handcycling project, he co-founded and volunteered with an Edinburgh based handcycling club, he has been active in paracycling advocacy and currently volunteer with Spokes and the Adaptive Riders Collective as a ride leader.