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Reimagining engineering

Professor Judy Raper has never shied away from a challenge. In fact, it was a challenge that initially propelled her into engineering—a field in which she would become the first female engineering academic at the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp of Newcastle. It was here, and later at the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp of New South Wales, that Judy rose through the ranks of academia.

Recently retired from her role as Dean and CEO of TEDI-London (The Engineering & Design Institute, London), she implemented what many considered radical: a complete ban on traditional lectures in favour of project-based learning. “I remember talking about it at a conference once, and it made the editorial of Nature—that I’d started at an institute where lectures are banned,” Professor Raper recalls.

The rationale was simple yet profound: “There’s plenty of material for students to learn online. They can read through it. They can do exercises… we want the contact time to be about making things—engineers make things.”

At TEDI-London, students were immersed in project-based learning from day one, collaboratively tackling real-world problems. This hands-on approach was designed not only to build technical expertise but also to foster interpersonal skills and a deeper understanding of the social context of engineering.

Professor Raper firmly believes this method better prepares students for the complexities of the modern world. Her vision also extended to rethinking assessment—acknowledging the diverse backgrounds students bring and the need to measure learning beyond traditional exams.

As she explains, “They do have exams, but not a whole lot of exams. They have one integrated exam a year, and they do individual work as well as group work.” This bold departure from convention underscores her deep commitment to producing graduates who are not just knowledgeable, but truly capable and adaptable.

Championing academic diversity and integrity

Professor Judy Raper’s influence extends far beyond curriculum reform—she has been a tireless advocate for gender equity and diversity in STEM. Her career is marked by a series of “firsts”, including becoming the first woman appointed Dean of the Faculty of Engineering at the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp of Sydney and holding a senior leadership position at the US National Science Foundation.

In 2018, she received the Ada Lovelace Award as Australia’s most prominent female engineer, and the following year was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM). She also became only the second woman to receive the prestigious Chemeca Medal—the highest honour in chemical engineering across Australia and New Zealand.

During her decade as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research and Innovation) at UOW from 2008 to 2018, Professor Raper led initiatives to improve diversity and expand opportunities across teaching, learning and research. She continues to emphasise the critical role universities play in modelling integrity and leading by example—particularly in response to pressing global issues such as climate change and sustainability.

Professor Judy Raper at the UOW Big Ideas Festival in 2018. Photo: Paul Jones.

“I think it’s really important that universities not only say they are doing this or that—but that they’re also living and breathing it,” she asserts. This philosophy underpins her belief that universities must embody the values they teach, acting as catalysts for meaningful societal change through their research, operations and outreach.

Her commitment to championing diverse perspectives is unwavering: “We are drawing people from different backgrounds, who have different experiences, and are able to offer different perspectives on, and solutions to, the complex global challenges we are grappling with.”

UOW's adaptability for the road ahead

Reflecting on UOW’s 50-year history as an independent institution, Professor Judy Raper acknowledges its remarkable adaptability. She describes this “ability to innovate and to change quickly” as a defining characteristic of UOW. Looking back, this agility—combined with strong staff and student morale—has crafted memories of “a great place to work” where “everybody was happy.”

Such a supportive institutional culture is, in her view, vital for fostering innovation and sustaining the collaborative spirit needed to tackle complex global challenges. Professor Raper remains optimistic about UOW’s future, particularly with the arrival of new leadership under Professor G.Q. Max Lu AO, the ÁñÁ«ÊÓƵapp’s sixth Vice-Chancellor and President. She sees significant opportunities for UOW to strengthen its research focus and continue its trajectory of impactful contributions.

Her tenure at UOW was marked by a 228 per cent increase in research funding and the establishment of major interdisciplinary projects, including the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre and the Australian Institute for Innovative Materials (AIIM). She also led the development of the and secured over $200 million in research infrastructure funding—supporting initiatives such as the regional innovation ecosystem at —demonstrating her capacity to drive institutional growth and innovation.

Professor Judy Raper photographed at UOW in 2016. Photo: Paul Jones.

“The trouble with old unis is that they get set in their ways… There should be a focus on making sure we don’t lose that adaptability,” she reflects. This mild cautionary note, paired with underlying optimism, speaks to Professor Raper’s enduring commitment to UOW’s unique character and its potential to remain at the forefront of higher education. Her use of ‘we’ when referring to UOW reinforces a lifelong sense of belonging to the institution.

Professor Judy Raper’s career is a testament to the power of challenging assumptions and embracing change. As she sums up her student-focused educational approach: “It’s much harder to teach this way, but it’s much more rewarding as well.” This mindset—born from a life dedicated to breaking barriers and building bridges—continues to inspire to this day.