- The partnership with John Crane is driving innovation through co-developed PhD projects tackling complex sealing and fluid system challenges
- It is delivering real-world experience for students via internships, apprenticeships and direct recruitment of University of Sheffield talent.
- The engineering firm's significant financial investment and technical expertise is empowering student development programmes and projects.
What happens when one of the world's leading providers of engineered technological expertise meets world-class academia? Since signing a Memorandum of Understanding in October 2024, the University of Sheffield (TUoS) strategic partnership with John Crane has gone from strength to strength - accelerating innovation, nurturing talent, and deepening collaboration between academia and industry.
Together, meaningful progress has been built across three key pillars:
Research & innovation
The University's collaborative PhD programme (tackling some of the most complex challenges in sealing & fluid systems) combines John Crane’s industrial expertise with world-leading academic research.
- Four PhD projects have been co-developed, with two now fully underway exploring novel ceramics, self-lubricating materials and contaminant behaviour in dry gas seals.
- Regular joint reviews ensure strong alignment between academic insight & industry priorities.
Talent development
The partnership is developing a talent pipeline that connects our students directly with real-world engineering & business experience.
- Three year-long interns (Emily Priest, Jathya Panangala, & James Dobinson) have successfully integrated into the Engineering & Marketing departments at John Crane, gaining real-world exposure and contributing to projects.
- Two Level 6 Product Design & Development Apprentices (Abdullah Munshi & Ololade Rasheed), have been successfully onboarded, completing four weeks of intensive CAD skills training.
- UoS PhD graduate & Research Assistant, Gary Nicholas, has transitioned into a permanent role as Senior Engineer (Seal Design) at John Crane.
- Two successful SURE summer placements. John Crane hosted an informative site visit to their Manchester facility, receiving excellent student feedback on real-world learning.
Brand engagement and student impact
John Crane’s £25,000 investment in the Sheffield Engineering Leadership and Service Award (SELSA) and the Catalyst Fund is empowering students to lead, innovate and push boundaries.
- Klaus-Dieter Meck (Director Research & Innovation, John Crane) served as mentor and guest speaker for the biggest and best SELSA Bootcamp yet! CTO Mike Eason will also speak to them in the New Year.
- John Crane experts are providing critical technical advice, such as assisting the Project SunRide team with an innovative sealing solution for their 3D-printed turbo-pump.
This strategic collaboration, underpinned by strong governance, is a testament to the strength, structure and impact of the partnership.
Emma Cantello Saville, Major Partnerships Project Manager, at the University of Sheffield, said: "As we move into 2026, we’re excited to build on this strong foundation - expanding research collaborations, advancing innovation and continuing to actively shape the next generation of leaders.
"Together, we’re helping engineer a sustainable and innovative future."