Pete Mylon is a National Teaching Fellow, specialising in making, makerspaces and student-led learning, and has worked with many institutions across the world to support them in creating and growing makerspaces, from universities in Malaysia to refugee camps in Jordan.
Having graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2006 with a Master-degree in Mechanical Engineering, Pete worked in a mechanical and structural engineering consultancy before beginning his PhD in 2009. His doctoral studies focused on the impact of medical gloves on manual performance and involved designing and building test rigs to simulate medical and surgical procedures.
Pete worked as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Manchester, designing test equipment for in vivo measurement of contact lens friction. In 2015, he returned to Sheffield to teach in the University’s brand new engineering building, The Diamond, creating and delivering practical laboratory classes in dynamics and revolutionising the Engineering Applications teaching in manufacturing technology for first year engineering students. In 2017, Pete worked with a team of students to create The iForge, the UK’s first student-led makerspace. Run by a team of over 40 students, it provides a space for students to learn practical skills and collaborate, both as part of and outside the curriculum, in a relaxed environment, and is developing a global reputation. Later, he established the UNIMAKER conference for staff and students involved in making in higher education.
Pete is passionate about student-led learning and is always looking for new opportunities for students to work across disciplines and gain real-world experience. He joined NMITE as Visiting Professor in 2023, to share his expertise in shaping our Skills Foundry.