The National Infrastructure Commission’s Young Professionals Panel (YPP) today launch their new podcast, Infra[un]structured, with the aim to “spark discussion about infrastructure among the next generation.”
The series will explore how infrastructure connects with people’s daily lives and the way rapid technological change is triggering shifts in our behaviour.
Each episode, the host, Charlotte Mitchell – an urban planner and member of the Panel – will be joined by expert guests tackling big questions about what the future holds.
With London bringing in its Ultra Low Emission Zone on Monday, the first episode focuses on air pollution and features the winner of the 2017 Wolfson Economic Prize, Gary Raccuja, who shares his expert view on the potential of road user charging.
Charlotte is also joined by Annette Jezierska, a fellow member of the Panel and co-founder of The Future Fox, a tech startup specialising in planning for more people-friendly cities.
Through this exciting project, the Young Professionals want to reach out to new audiences and provide a forum in which infrastructure can be debated more informally.
Charlotte Mitchell, member of the Young Professionals Panel and host of Infra[un]structured, said:
“Whether it’s the water that runs out of the taps, getting from A to B or the digital communications that connect us, infrastructure is integral to each of our daily lives.
“We’re thrilled to be launching our podcast and hope it will spark discussion about infrastructure among the next generation.
“We invite colleagues in the sector to help us spread the word and we can’t wait to see what people think.”
Gary Raccuja, winner of the 2017 Wolfson Economics Prize, said:
“I was really pleased to join Charlotte and Annette on the first episode of Infra[un]structured and it was great fun recording in the studio.
“With air pollution becoming an increasing concern for urban communities, this is the perfect topic to kick off the show and I hope our ideas will resonate with listeners.”
Young Professionals Panel
Launched in April 2018, the Young Professionals Panel comprises 16 talented individuals in the early years of their infrastructure careers, who faced tough competition from 500 other applicants to be selected.
Spanning a wide range of backgrounds, professions and regions, the Young Professionals support and inform the Commission’s work.
The members of the Panel are:
- Matthew Ball – Manager, Ofgem – based in London
- John Bradburn – Senior Consultant, Atkins – based in Manchester
- Alison Caldwell – Principal Engineer, WSP – based in Birmingham
- Joshua Dickerson – Associate, Deetu – based in Nottingham
- Victor Frebault, Consultant, Arup – based in London
- Laura Hawkins – Project Lead, Innovation, UK Power Networks – based in Reading
- Jennifer Holgate – Managing Associate, Womble Bond Dickinson – based in Bristol
- Dr Rosie Hughes, Innovation & Continuous Improvement Lead (Strategic Highways Europe), AECOM – based in Derby
- Annette Jezierska, Co-Founder, The Future Fox – based in London
- Madeleine Kessler, Project Architect, Haptic Architects – based in London
- Petra Marko, Co-Founder, Marko & Placemakers – based in London
- Henry Metcalf, Graduate Engineer, Peter Brett Associates – based in London
- Charlotte Mitchell, Associate, Quod – based in London
- Christian O’Brien, Engineer, Dandara – based in Southampton
- Martin Plant, Associate, McKinsey – based in Surrey
- Sakthy Selvakumaran, Civil Engineer/PhD Researcher, University of Cambridge – based in Cambridge
The 16 members of the Panel have been working alongside the National Infrastructure Commission to develop this programme of work.
Notes to Editors
You can listen to Infra[un]structured here on SoundCloud.
More details about the Young Professionals Panel can be found here.
