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Editor’s Editor’s
Fourth Industrial Leadership
IntheFourthIndustrialRevolutionera,characterizedbyadvancementsinartificial
intelligence,automation,anddatasystems,ProfessorMichaelShortstandsoutasa prominentleader.AsaControlEngineeringandSystemsInformaticsProfessorat TeessideUniversity,Shortismakingsignificantstridesinthistransformativefield.
Theprofessor’sworkbridgesthegapbetweentheoreticalresearchandpracticalapplication. Hisexpertiseincontrolsystemsandsystemsinformaticsisinstrumentalindeveloping innovativesolutionsthataddresscriticalissuesinindustryandinfrastructure.Hisresearch drivesprogressinindustrialautomation,smarttechnologies,andsystemefficiency.
Hiscomprehensiveviewoftechnology’sroleinsocietydistinguisheshim.Hisfocusgoes beyondtechnicalachievementstoconsideremergingtechnologies'ethicalimplicationsand societalimpact.HiseffortsinpromotingresponsibleAIpracticesandsustainable developmentreflectacommitmenttoensuringtechnologicaladvancementsbenefit industriesandcommunities.
AtTeessideUniversity,ProfessorShortfostersacollaborativeenvironmentthatencourages studentsandresearcherstoexploreinterdisciplinaryapproaches.Thisnurturingatmosphere supportsthedevelopmentofpracticalsolutionsandpreparesthenextgenerationof engineersandtechnologists.
Michael’sleadershipincontrolengineeringandsystemsinformaticshighlightsthe significantcontributionsofacademicexpertstotheFourthIndustrialRevolution.Hiswork exemplifieshowresearchandeducationcandrivemeaningfuladvancementswhile addressingethicalandsocietalconcerns.Hisroleisatestamenttotheimportanceof integratingtechnicalinnovationwithathoughtfulapproachtoitsbroaderimpact.
PrestonBannister
Featuring Company
CharlieDawson ServicesBusiness DevelopmentManager
DrAndreaIsoni DirectorandChief AIOfficer
Dr.Tamer Elboghdadly SeniorLecturerin ComputerScience
GarethBeverley ChiefExecutiveOfficer
MichaelShort ProfessorofControl EngineeringandSystems
Informatics
BytesSoftwareServices bytes.co.uk
Brief
CharlieisServicesBusinessDevelopmentManageratBytes SoftwareServices,aleadingproviderofworld-classIT solutions.
Dr.AndreaistheDirectorandChiefAIOfficeratAI Technologies,aconsultancyspecializinginmachinelearning anddata-relatedproblems. AITechnologies aitechnologies.co
Dr.TamerhasMorethantwentyyearsofexperienceinboth highereducationandindustry,withseveralsuccessfulprojects. UniversityofPortsmouth port.ac.uk
GarethisCEOofConsortiq,streamliningdroneprogramsand datadigitizationwithasafety-firstapproach,offeringefficient, expert-drivensolutionstoorganizations. Consortiq consortiq.com
TeessideUniversit tees.ac.uk
Michaeloverseesthestrategyandoperationalaspectsof researchandinnovationactivitieswithintheCentrefor SustainableEngineeringandtheCentreforDigitalInnovation withintheUniversity
Michael Short
Pioneering the Future of Engineering and Informatics
It is highly satisfying to be teaching knowledge you have created and published, like new control design methods, and using examples to show how they have been applied in real-world situations in industry.
MichaelShort ProfessorofControl
EngineeringandSystems
Informatics TeessideUniversity
Innovations in Advanced Technology and Education!
Thefieldofadvancedtechnologyandeducation
explorestheintricatemechanicsofsystemsandthe profoundimpactofdigitalinterfacesontheir functionality Theintegrationofengineeringprincipleswith cutting-edgecomputersciencebroughtforth groundbreakingadvancements,shapingindustriesand challengingtraditionalnorms.Atitscore,thisindustry thrivesonthesynergybetweentheoreticalknowledgeand practicalapplication,drivingcontinuousdiscovery
LeadingthistransformationisMichaelShort,servingasa ProfessorofControlEngineeringandSystems InformaticsatTeessideUniversity.Witharichacademic backgroundandextensiveindustryexperience,hehas garneredacclaimforhisinnovativeresearchandinfluential contributions.HisroleasProfessorpersonifiesa commitmenttoacademicexcellenceandinnovation, nurturingagenerationofforward-thinkingprofessionals poisedtoredefinetechnologicalfrontiers.
TeessideUniversity,whichhasUKcampusesin MiddlesbroughandLondon,isabeaconofacademic
excellenceandtechnologicaladvancement.Knownforits progressiveapproachtoeducationandresearch,the universityhasestablisheditselfasahubfornurturingtalent anddrivingindustrycollaboration.Throughstrategic initiativesandadedicatedfocusondigitalintegration,the Universitycontinuestoempowerstudentsandresearchers alike,ensuringtheyareequippedtotacklethechallengesof tomorrowwithconfidence.
Let’s explore the impactful journey of Michael:
Couldyoushareabitaboutyourearlylifeandwhat inspiredyoutopursueacareerinControlEngineering andSystemsInformatics?
AsachildIwasalwaysinquisitiveabouthowthingslike enginesworkedandwasalwaysaskingquestions–someof whichmyparentsrealizedtheycouldn’talwaysanswer.I becamefascinatedwithLego,especiallythetechnicalkits thatinterfacedwithcomputers-whichatthetimewasaZX Spectrum.Itmadesensetomoveintoacareerin Engineering,andafterservinganapprenticeshipincontrol andinstrumentationafterleavingschool,Istudiedfora part-timedegreeandthenaPhDinRobotics.Ithasalways beentheboundariesbetweenengineeringandcomputer science,subjectslikedigitalcontrol,embeddedsystemsand industrialinformatics,whichinterestmemost.I’vebeen blessedtobeabletoteachandcarryoutresearchinthese areasforovertwentyyearsnow
Whatdoyoufindmostfulfillingaboutyourwork,and whatcontinuestodriveyourpassionforthisfield?
Researchhasalwaysbeenmydrivingpassion:toseean ideabroughtthroughcreation,development, experimentation,analysisandpublicationinahigh-impact journalisanexcitingandveryrewardingprocess. Additionalaspectsofinnovationandenterprisearealso veryrewarding–seeingresearchideasincorporatedinto newproductsandservicesisverysatisfying.Allare extremelyhardwork.
Ialsoenjoyteachingaspectsofmyrole,especiallythe ‘lightbulb’moments.Areallyrewardingsituationiswhen research,teachingandindustrialengagementcanbe aligned.Itishighlysatisfyingtobeteachingknowledge youhavecreatedandpublished,likenewcontroldesign methodsandusingexamplestoshowhowtheyhavebeen appliedinreal-worldsituationsinindustry.Often,notall aspectscannotalwaysbebroughttogether,butwhenthey can,itisthesweetspotandhighmotivationforstudents.
Overtime,asmyresearchportfoliohasgrown,thenature ofmyrolehasalsochanged–astrongerfocusnowmustbe placeduponmentoring,leadershipandmanagementof peopleandprojects.Icanstillbefoundinthelaband presentingworkatconferences,butoverall,Ican’twinif myteamdoesn’talsowin!Iamcontinuouslylearningand tryingtogrow,andthishaskeptmemotivatedoverthe years–andIhopeitwillcontinuetodosogoingforwards.
Canyouhighlightsomekeymilestonesinyour professionalcareerandhowtheyhaveinfluencedyour currentroleatTeessideUniversity?
Mycareerbeganwithatechnicalapprenticeshipat16and completingitat20,followedbyearningaBachelor’s degreeinElectricalandElectronicEngineeringat24.These experiencesprovidedmewithessentialpracticaland theoreticalfoundations.Initiallyanaveragestudent,the apprenticeshipallowedmetoengageintechnicalindustry whilestudyingatalocalcollege,sparkingmyacademic success.Movingintofull-timeacademicstudies,Iobtained
Since around 2016, Teesside University has started a period of transformation change, with digital technologies for learning, teaching, research and enterprise at its heart.
aDoctorateinRoboticsandAIat28,asignificant milestoneinmyfamily.Publishingmyresearchand securinggrantfundingmarkedimportantachievements, demonstratingmycapabilityinscientificcircles.Becoming afullprofessorin2020wasacrowningachievementwhile beingrecognizedasoneofthetopteninfluencersonNet ZerointheUKwasarecentmilestone.
digitalofferandmadesurethatdigitaltechnologiesand datascienceunderpinallrelevantcourseofferings.Allour undergraduatestudentsaregivenanewiPadwhenstarting ourfull-timecoursestoenableequitabletechnologyaccess. WewerethefirstUKUniversitytofullyjoinSiemens connectedcurriculumtoensureengineeringgraduatesare bothdigitalnativesandindustry-ready.Inmyownschool–computing,engineeringanddigitaltechnologies–wehave re-structuredourresearchandinnovationactivitiestobetter alignwiththecurrentdirectionoftravel.Wecreatedtwo researchcenters(sustainableengineeringanddigital innovation)andhaveopenedtwoinnovationcenters(net zeroandmanufacturingdigitalization).Wehavealso openedresearchcentersinbioinformatics,healthcareand others.Ourindustrialengagementisstrongregionally,
nationallyandinternationallyandenablesustooffer placementsandinternshipswithSMEsandlarger industries.Ihopetoinspirethenextgenerationthroughmy ownteaching,industrialengagementandresearchoutputs–inwaysthatareinclusiveandallowthemtoparticipate,as well.
createmoreleaders,not
-TomPeters
Building the Future
ThedawnofIndustry4.0marksatransformativeera
characterizedbytheintegrationofadvanced technologiessuchasartificialintelligence(AI),the InternetofThings(IoT),bigdataanalytics,androbotics intoindustrialpractices.Asorganizationsnavigatethis complexlandscape,effectiveleadershipbecomescrucialfor harnessingthesetechnologiestodriveinnovationand maintaincompetitiveadvantage.Further,weexplorekey leadershipstrategiesessentialforbuildingthefutureinthe eraofIndustry4.0.
EmbraceaVisionaryMindset
DevelopaForward-ThinkingVision
IntherapidlyevolvinglandscapeofIndustry4.0,leaders mustcultivateavisionarymindset.Thisinvolvesnotonly understandingcurrenttechnologicaltrendsbutalso anticipatingfuturedevelopmentsandtheirpotentialimpact ontheindustry Aforward-thinkingleadershouldarticulate aclearvisionthatalignstechnologicaladvancementswith theorganization'sstrategicgoals.Thisvisionshouldinspire andguidetheentireteam,providingaroadmapfor integratingnewtechnologiesanddrivingdigital transformation.
FosteraCultureofInnovation
Aculturethatpromotesexperimentationandembraces failureasalearningopportunityisessentialfordriving innovation.Leadersshouldencourageteamstoexplorenew ideasandtechnologieswithoutfearoffailure.Thisinvolves creatinganenvironmentwherecreativityisrewardedand whereemployeesfeelempoweredtoproposeandtest innovativesolutions.Byfosteringacultureofinnovation, leaderscanensurethattheirorganizationsremainatthe cuttingedgeoftechnologicaladvancementsandmaintain theircompetitiveedge.
InvestinTalentandSkillsDevelopment
PrioritizeContinuousLearning
ThepaceoftechnologicalchangeinIndustry4.0 necessitatesacommitmenttocontinuouslearning.Leaders shouldinvestinongoingtraininganddevelopment programstoensurethattheirteamshavetheskillsneeded toleveragenewtechnologieseffectively.Thisincludesnot
onlytechnicalskillsbutalsosoftskillssuchasproblemsolving,criticalthinking,andadaptability.Byprioritizing continuouslearning,leaderscanbuildaworkforcethatis agileandcapableofnavigatingthecomplexitiesofIndustry 4.0.
AttractandRetainTopTalent
TothriveintheeraofIndustry4.0,organizationsmust attractandretaintoptalentwithexpertiseinemerging technologies.Leadersshouldfocusonbuildingastrong employerbrandthathighlightstheorganization’s commitmenttoinnovationandcareerdevelopment.This includesofferingcompetitivecompensationpackages, opportunitiesforcareeradvancement,andasupportive workenvironment.Byattractingandretainingtoptalent, leaderscanensurethattheirorganizationshavethe expertiseneededtodrivetechnologicaladvancementsand achievetheirstrategicobjectives.
LeverageData-DrivenDecisionMaking
HarnessthePowerofBigData
Industry4.0generatesvastamountsofdata,andleaders mustleveragethisdatatomakeinformeddecisions. Implementingadvancedanalyticstoolsandtechniques allowsorganizationstogainvaluableinsightsinto operationalperformance,customerbehavior,andmarket trends.Leadersshouldpromoteadata-drivenculturewhere decisionsarebasedonempiricalevidenceratherthan intuition.Byharnessingthepowerofbigdata,leaderscan optimizeprocesses,enhancedecision-making,anddrive strategicinitiatives.
ImplementSmartTechnologies
Theintegrationofsmarttechnologies,suchasIoTsensors andAI-drivenanalytics,cansignificantlyenhance operationalefficiencyandproductivity.Leadersshould exploreopportunitiestoimplementthesetechnologies acrossvariousaspectsoftheiroperations,fromsupply chainmanagementtocustomerengagement.Byadopting smarttechnologies,organizationscanimprovereal-time monitoring,predictivemaintenance,andpersonalized customerexperiences.Thisnotonlyboostsefficiencybut alsocreatesnewbusinessopportunitiesandrevenue streams.
FosterCollaborationandPartnerships
BuildStrategicPartnerships
IntheeraofIndustry4.0,collaborationwithexternal partnersiscrucialfordrivinginnovationandstaying competitive.Leadersshouldseekopportunitiestobuild strategicpartnershipswithtechnologyproviders,research institutions,andotherindustrystakeholders.These partnershipscanfacilitateaccesstonewtechnologies,share knowledgeandexpertise,andacceleratethedevelopment andimplementationofinnovativesolutions.Byfostering collaboration,leaderscanleverageexternalresourcesand insightstoenhancetheirorganization’scapabilitiesand achievetheirstrategicgoals.
PromoteCross-FunctionalCollaboration
Withintheorganization,leadersshouldpromotecrossfunctionalcollaborationtoensurethattechnology integrationisseamlessandeffective.Thisinvolvesbreaking downsilosbetweendepartmentsandencouragingteamsto worktogethertowardscommonobjectives.Crossfunctionalcollaborationenablesthesharingofknowledge andbestpractices,facilitatesproblem-solving,anddrives innovation.Leadersshouldcreateanenvironmentthat supportsteamworkandcommunication,allowingdifferent functionstocontributetheirexpertiseandinsightsto technologyinitiatives.
Conclusion
AsIndustry4.0continuestoreshapethebusiness landscape,effectiveleadershipiscriticalfornavigatingthe complexitiesandseizingopportunities.Byembracinga visionarymindset,investingintalent,leveragingdatadrivendecision-making,fosteringcollaboration,managing change,andfocusingoncustomer-centricstrategies,leaders canbuildastrongfoundationforthefuture.Theabilityto adapttotechnologicaladvancementsanddriveinnovation willdeterminethesuccessoforganizationsinthisnewera. Leaderswhomasterthesestrategieswillnotonlythrivein Industry4.0butalsopavethewayforabrighterandmore innovativefuture.
Empowering the Workforce
Leadership in the Age of Smart Technologies
Aswenavigatetheeraofsmart
technologies,leadershipis undergoingatransformativeshift. Withtheadventofartificialintelligence (AI),theInternetofThings(IoT),and automation,leadersarefacedwith unprecedentedopportunitiesandchallenges inmanagingtheirworkforce.Thekeyto thrivinginthisnewlandscapeliesin empoweringemployeestoadapt,innovate, andexcel.
UnderstandingtheImpactofSmart Technologies
EmbracetheTechnologicalRevolution
Smarttechnologiesareredefininghow businessesoperate.FromAI-driven analyticsthatofferreal-timeinsightstoIoT systemsthatenhanceconnectivityand automation,theseinnovationsare revolutionizingvariousaspectsofwork. Leadersmustunderstandtheimplicationsof thesetechnologiesandhowtheyimpact bothorganizationalprocessesandemployee roles.Thisunderstandingenablesleadersto makeinformeddecisionsabouttechnology adoption,workforcetraining,andstrategic alignment.
RedefineRolesandResponsibilities
Theintegrationofsmarttechnologies oftennecessitatesareevaluationofjob rolesandresponsibilities.Automationand AIcanhandlerepetitivetasks,freeing employeestofocusonmorestrategicand creativeactivities.Leadersmustassess howtechnologychangesthenatureof workandredefinerolestoalignwiththese changes.Thisinvolvesidentifyingnew skillsrequired,adjustingjobdescriptions, andensuringthatemployeesareprepared fortheirevolvingroles.
BuildingaCultureofContinuous Learning
InvestinTrainingandDevelopment
Tofullyleveragethebenefitsofsmart technologies,leadersmustprioritize ongoingtraininganddevelopment.The rapidpaceoftechnologicaladvancements requiresemployeestocontinuouslyupdate theirskills.Leadersshouldimplement comprehensivetrainingprogramsthat coverbothtechnicalskills,suchasdata analyticsandAImanagement,andsoft skills,suchasproblem-solvingandcritical thinking.Investingindevelopmentnot onlyenhancesemployees’capabilitiesbut alsodemonstratesacommitmenttotheir growth.
FosteraGrowthMindset
Encouragingagrowthmindsetisessential forempoweringtheworkforceintheage ofsmarttechnologies.Leadersshould cultivateanenvironmentwhereemployees viewchallengesasopportunitiesfor growthratherthanobstacles.Thisinvolves promotingacultureofexperimentation, whereemployeesfeelencouragedto explorenewideasandtechnologies withoutfearoffailure.Byfosteringa growthmindset,leaderscandrive innovationandadaptabilitywithintheir teams.
EnhancingCollaborationandCommunication
PromoteCross-FunctionalCollaboration
Smarttechnologiesoftenrequireinterdisciplinary approachestosolvecomplexproblems.Leadersshould promotecross-functionalcollaborationtoleveragediverse expertiseandperspectives.Thisinvolvesbreakingdown silosbetweendepartmentsandencouragingteamstowork togetherontechnology-drivenprojects.Cross-functional collaborationenhancesproblem-solvingcapabilities,drives innovation,andensuresthattechnologyinitiativesalign withbroaderorganizationalgoals.
LeverageDigitalCommunicationTools
Effectivecommunicationiscriticalintheageofsmart technologies.Leadersshouldutilizedigitalcommunication toolstofacilitateseamlessinteractionbetweenteam members.Platformssuchascollaborationsoftware,video conferencing,andprojectmanagementtoolsenablerealtimecommunicationandcoordination,regardlessof geographicallocation.Byleveragingthesetools,leaders canenhanceteamwork,streamlineprocesses,andkeep employeesinformedandengaged.
EmpoweringEmployeesThroughTechnology
EncourageAutonomyandInnovation
Smarttechnologiescanempoweremployeesbyproviding themwithtoolsandinsightsthatenhancetheirdecisionmakingcapabilities.Leadersshouldencourageemployees toleveragethesetechnologiestotakeinitiativeanddrive innovation.Thisinvolvesgrantingautonomytoexplore newsolutions,experimentwithdifferentapproaches,and implementimprovements.Byempoweringemployeeswith therighttoolsandauthority,leaderscanfosterasenseof ownershipanddrivecontinuousimprovement.
RecognizeandRewardAchievements
Recognitionandrewardsplayacrucialroleinmotivating employeesandreinforcingpositivebehavior.Leaders shouldimplementsystemstoacknowledgeandcelebrate achievementsrelatedtotheuseofsmarttechnologies.This canincluderecognizingemployeeswhosuccessfully implementnewtechnologies,contributeinnovativeideas, orachievesignificantmilestones.Bycelebratingsuccesses,
leaderscanreinforceacultureofexcellenceandencourage ongoingengagementwithtechnology.
NavigatingChangeandBuildingResilience
ManageResistancetoChange
Theintegrationofsmarttechnologiescanencounter resistancefromemployeeswhomayfeeluncertainabout theimpactontheirrolesorjobsecurity.Leadersmust proactivelyaddresstheseconcernsbycommunicatingthe benefitsoftechnologyadoptionandinvolvingemployeesin thechangeprocess.Thisincludesprovidingclear informationabouthowtechnologywillenhancetheirwork, offeringtrainingandsupport,andaddressinganyfearsor misconceptions.Effectivechangemanagementhelpsensure asmoothtransitionandfostersapositiveattitudetowards technology.
Conclusion
Leadershipintheageofsmarttechnologiesrequiresa strategicandempatheticapproachtoempoweringthe workforce.Byunderstandingtheimpactofsmart technologies,investingincontinuouslearning,enhancing collaboration,andmanagingchangeeffectively,leaderscan createanenvironmentwhereemployeesthriveanddrive innovation.Empoweringemployeesthroughtechnology, recognizingtheirachievements,andaligningtechnology withorganizationalgoalsarekeycomponentsofsuccessful leadershipinthisdynamicera.Asorganizationsembrace thepotentialofsmarttechnologies,effectiveleadershipwill beinstrumentalinbuildingafuturewheretechnologyand humantalentworkinharmonytoachieveexcellenceand driveprogress.
Leadership is not about being the best. It is about else better.making everone
"The
bestleadersarethosewhoinspire otherstodreammore,learnmore,do more,andbecomemore.”
