Dr Pete Mylon

MEng, PhD

Multidisciplinary Engineering Education

Senior University Teacher

Faculty Co-ordinator for Co-Curricular Activities

Pete Mylon
Profile picture of Pete Mylon
pete.mylon@sheffield.ac.uk
+44 114 222 5805

Full contact details

Dr Pete Mylon
Multidisciplinary Engineering Education
The Diamond
32 Leavygreave Road
Sheffield
S3 7RD
Profile

I am a National Teaching Fellow, specialising in Making, makerspaces and student-led learning, and have 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 Masters in Mechanical Engineering, I worked in a mechanical and structural engineering consultancy before returning to do my PhD in 2009. My 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.

Following the completion of my doctorate, I worked as a postdoctoral researcher at The University of Manchester where I designed test equipment for in vivo measurement of contact lens friction.

In 2015, I returned to Sheffield to teach in the University’s Diamond building, creating and delivering practical laboratory classes in dynamics and revolutionising the Engineering Applications teaching in manufacturing technology for first year engineering students.

In 2017, I 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. In 2019, I established the UNIMAKER conference for staff and students involved in Making in Higher Education. I also oversee the growing number of student-led co-curricular activities in Engineering and established the iTEC facility which houses 13 of these teams. I also co-founded Hackcessible, the international hackathon that sees students working alongside disabled people to solve real life challenges through designing and building assistive technology.

I am passionate about student-led learning and am always looking for new opportunities for students to work across disciplines and gain real-world experience. I have taught CAD and engineering design across a number of departments.

Qualifications

Professional Achievements:

  • Early Career Senate Award for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, 2018
  • National Teaching Fellow, 2020
  • Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence, 2021
  • Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AdvanceHE)
  • Chartered Engineer and Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers
Publications

Journal articles

Conference proceedings papers

Teaching interests
  • Making and Makerspaces
  • Student-led learning
  • Mechanical design and prototyping
  • Computer-aided design
Teaching activities
  • Engineering Applications (MEC, AER, CIV, EEE, GEE)
  • MEC333 Integrated Design Skills
  • Academic Lead for iForge
  • Faculty Coordinator for Co-Curricular Activities