Meet Kasper Hansen, Unwin Postgraduate Prize winner

Every year, the Department of Mechanical Engineering awards prizes to recognise the achievements of our PhD students.

The Unwin Postgraduate Prize in Mechanical Engineering is awarded to one PhD student and one MSc student at the end of their studies. One of the four academic founders of the City & Guilds College in 1884, Professor Unwin was Head of Engineering for over twenty years. He pioneered research in hydraulics and material testing, and the teaching of engineering for industrial application.

The current MSc holder of the prize is Kasper Hansen, let’s get to know him better:

Can you say a few words about the award you’ve received?

It’s a huge honour to receive the Unwin Prize! I worked hard during my MSc, and being recognised with this award is very humbling and motivating for my future career. I hope my research output will be useful to future students and researchers in my field.

Why did you decide to study for a MSc? 

I thoroughly enjoyed the research aspects of my undergraduate course which made me want to further explore academic work. The Advanced Mechanical Engineering MSc course was a great opportunity to try my hand at a slightly larger research project while also exposing myself to a broader range of topics through the taught modules. I’m grateful for the support I have received, and I feel fortunate to have had the chance to do the MSc.

How would you describe your experience during your MSc in the department?

The structure, support, and academic challenge of the course were all outstanding, and the student community within the course was different to anything I’ve seen before. I appreciated the small size of the course, and the MSc “office” really fostered great chats and collaboration. I have absolutely no regrets about taking the course!

What would you say about the supervision you received?

My research project was a fundamental part of my MSc experience, and this was largely thanks to my supervisor, Soraia Pimenta. Soraia gave me the opportunity to work within her group and a glimpse into the life as a researcher to a degree which I had not experienced before. Her support and guidance were instrumental both in allowing me to do my best work and in making my overall experience truly enjoyable.

What were the most difficult challenges?

Starting anything new is always challenging, and transitioning to a new environment and field of research was no exception. The early stages of navigating the literature and determining the right approaches for my project were tough, but with patience everything eventually fell into place. After that, balancing exam preparation and project work was challenging, but a good lesson in time-management!

What did you enjoy most about the experience?

It’s hard to pinpoint a single thing, and I genuinely appreciated everything from surprising research results to lunch breaks with the other MSc students. If I had to highlight on aspect, it would be the opportunity to chat to so many talented and passionate people in the department about their work. It has been really inspiring and enjoyable, and has given me a much better idea of what I can achieve with my degree.

What are you planning to do now and in the future?

I had such a good time during my MSc that I’ve decided to continue where I left off (somewhat) by pursuing a PhD on recycled composite materials in the department. I’m really enjoying it so far, and I’m excited to continue exploring life in academia without having a strict long-term plan.

What are your interests beyond Engineering? 

I enjoy doing sports like gymnastics and rock climbing as often as I can find the time, and I also coach the Imperial and UCL gymnastics clubs. Apart from this I love cooking, reading, and going for long walks around London – preferably when it’s not raining!