How engineers can crack science's toughest mysteries - with Shini Somara

Find out how engineers are finding answers to the mysteries that have puzzled science. Join this channel as a Science Supporter to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCYeF244yNGuFefuFKqxIAXw/join Watch the Q&A here (exclusively for our Science Supporter members): https://youtu.be/l6_GSPiRNv4 This lecture was filmed at the Ri on 1 November 2025. --- We often hear about the biggest challenges posed by modern science. How can we make fusion a viable power source? How can we supercool a quantum computer? How can we build trust into an AI system? The role of answering these questions falls to engineers. But often, engineering is overlooked or misunderstood. So how does this process work, and how does it impact our lives? Join mechanical engineer and broadcaster Shini Somara as she demystifies the role that engineers play in the ecosystem of innovation. She’ll explain how engineers are finding practical solutions to everything from the biggest problems in nuclear physics, through to underappreciated breakthroughs in household plumbing, and digs down into the engineering process to celebrate how scientists and engineers collaborate to solve the problems of the future. -- Shini Somara is a multi-award-winning engineer and broadcaster. She completed her EngD in Computational Fluid Dynamics at Brunel University of London, where she is now Pro Rector. She is a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, and a Chartered Mechanical Engineer. Shini has produced and presented for the BBC, Sky, PBS and more. She has written seven STEM books for a range of ages, featured on numerous podcasts, and spoken at TEDx events. -- The Ri is on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ri_science and Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/royalinstitution and TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ri_science Listen to the Ri podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/ri-science-podcast Donate to the RI and help us bring you more lectures: https://www.rigb.org/support-us/donate-ri Our editorial policy: https://www.rigb.org/editing-ri-talks-and-moderating-comments Subscribe for the latest science videos: http://bit.ly/RiNewsletter --- Chapters: 00:12 Why Engineering Matters: The Big Question 02:40 From Engineer to Storyteller: A Personal Journey 05:00 The Problem: Inspiring the Next Generation 08:10 Engineers vs Scientists: A Key Distinction 11:30 Curiosity: The Trait That Drives Discovery 18:00 Icons of Science: Faraday, Sagan & Attenborough 23:30 What Is Engineering Really? (Audience Insights) 26:30 How Scientific Questions Have Changed Over Time 30:30 Engineering the Impossible: Space, Physics & Beyond 35:44 Breakthrough Engineering: Changing the World 39:30 Engineering in Medicine: Saving Lives 42:30 Exploring Extremes: Oceans, Space & Satellites 45:30 Engineering in Everyday Life 48:57 When Engineering Meets Reality: COVID & Fluid Dynamics 51:40 The Truth About Engineering Careers 54:30 Engineering for Good: The Future of Society 57:00 Changing the Reputation of Engineers 59:21 Final Message: Curiosity, Impact & the Future --- Product links on this page may be affiliate links which means it won't cost you any extra but we may earn a small commission if you decide to purchase through the link. #EngineeringInnovation, #ScienceMysteries, #ShiniSomara, #STEMCareers, #EngineeringChallenges