
84. Bridging the Gap: Exploring the New Era of Engineering Design | Dr. Nikita Hari
Welcome to a brand new episode of Through the Corporate Glass. I am your host, Apurva Divakaran. Hands-on design, engineering innovation, and entrepreneurship are fundamentally redefining how we solve the world’s most complex challenges. Today, preparing the next generation of innovators requires bridging the gap between rigorous academic theory and real-world, human-centric application.In this conversation, we’ll explore what this means for the future of STEM — how we can revolutionize engineering education, the opportunities and challenges of launching educational startups, and what it takes to inspire and empower the next wave of global changemakers.Exploring this vision with us today is Dr. Nikita Hari, the Head of the Teaching and Research Design Support Group at the University of Oxford’s Department of Engineering Science. Nikita is a multi-award-winning engineer with over a decade of global industry and academic experience. She holds a PhD from Cambridge and an Oxford Post-Doctoral Fellowship. Named one of the Top 50 Women in Engineering in the UK and a Clinton Global Changemaker, she has co-founded two EdTech startups, delivered 100+ keynotes, and is a TedX speaker. Having served in roles like CTO and COO, she currently serves as an Honorary Associate Professor at UCL and is a member of the UK Young Academy.2:30 Career Beginnings13:00 Understanding Engineering Education Innovation21:25 AI, Technology & Interdisciplinary Impact37:00 Balancing Multiple Roles45:22 Challenges, Motivation & Lessons53:05 Professional Communities & Entrepreneurship01:01:00 Startup Journey01:06:10 Future Projects01:12:05 Emerging Skills & Advice for Women in STEM















