Hi everyone, I’ve just finished the Managing Safely course run by John Constable at the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS), University of Strathclyde. And honestly? It changed how I see everyday risks. One tiny moment stood out: while drying my hands in a public restroom, my smartwatch pinged: “High noise level.”I looked up, a hand dryer blasting at around 90 dB. That’s loud enough...
So, here’s a little tale of spontaneity, nature, and the universe really knowing how to play. We decided — on a whim — to do a pure digital detox: 2 days, no screens, no emails, just us, the hills, and a glamping pod on the Isle of Mull. The only thing we checked? “Will there be a storm?”Answer: Yes — but only on the day we leave.So we packed: boots, books, snacks (so many snacks), and a hopeful...
By Sivapriya Mothilal Bhagavathy — R&D Leader, Mum, and Occasional Confused Reader I started Shape thinking: “Right, this is about geometry. Probably boring.”Then I was halfway through and thought: “Wait… is this about Covid? And politics? And why my teenage daughter’s art looks like a fractal?” By chapter four, I was genuinely lost.The book was hopping from Fibonacci to famine, from voting...
The trip to Sweden wasn’t just about teaching or sightseeing. It was about connection. And on this final leg, I was lucky enough to join a study tour to Lund, organised by Business Sweden, focused on sustainable heating and cooling in practice. Coincidentally, it came just after my week teaching at KTH — a perfect bookend to a week that began with theory and ended with real-world innovation. 🏭...
How a surprise lunch and a chaat dinner reminded me that belonging isn’t about festivals — it’s about being invited. I don’t usually celebrate Onam. Not in any special way. We did have sadya when we were in India — and we celebrated Pongal, Vishu, Deepavali, and others too. But since moving to the UK, it’s become less about the festival and more about what fits: time, availability, convenience...
How a City Built on Light and Legacy Inspires the Future of Energy and Meaning There’s a certain magic in Stockholm — not just in its canals, bridges, and archipelago, but in how the past and future coexist in quiet harmony. After a week of lectures, labs, and midnight brainstorming, I finally had time to breathe — and wander. And what a journey it was. 🏛️ The Stockholm City Hall: Where History...
From Python Puzzles to 700°C Sand: A Visiting Lecturer’s Journey in Stockholm I’m still buzzing from an incredible week in Stockholm, where I had the honour of serving as a visiting lecturer at KTH Royal Institute of Technology — a true epicentre of energy research and innovation. As an R&D Leader at PNDC, my mission was clear: to share insights from real-world energy systems while learning...
Last week, I stepped into the world of live music for the first time in… well, probably ever — and let’s just say, it was a full-sensory adventure. My daughter is deeply in love with Chappel Roan (and honestly, I get it — the vibes are electric). So when the concert tickets landed, we were in. She’d been on repeat: “Good Luck, Babe,” “Super Graphic Ultra Modern,” and “HOT TO GO — non-stop. I half...
I’ll admit it: I braced myself for a bureaucratic graduation ceremony—long speeches, stiff formality, the kind of event where time crawls. But Strathclyde’s Energy Sector Leaders Honorary Graduation? It was anything but that. From the first word from Principal Sir Jim McDonald (charming as ever, with that signature smile), the room buzzed with energy—not the tired kind, but the alive kind you...
“We don’t see people as they are — we see them as our instincts tell us they should be.”(A paraphrase of a central idea in Malcolm Gladwell’s Blink) I’m late by a day… but I’m here — and that counts. One small step forward still counts. Especially when it’s toward showing up thoughtfully and with purpose. This week’s post is based on a book I’m reading — Blink by Malcolm...
Proud Mom. Lead R&D Engineer at PNDC, University of Strathclyde. Oxford Martin Fellow and Oxford policy engagement network KE fellow. Interests in energy technology, policy and sustainable system. Current research areas include the decarbonisation of heat, transport and electricity and the role of hydrogen in decarbonisation.