The Engineering Communication Podcast

Kelly Scarff
  • 5.0 (3)
  • SCIENCE
  • UPDATED MONTHLY

Engineers are known for doing so many amazing things, but none of those things would be possible without effective communication. From writing technical reports to presenting their research findings, engineers are required to communicate every day. Join Kelly Scarff and Matthew Wood as they interview engineers from all sectors of work to find out what kind of communication they use on a daily basis and what engineering students can do now to prepare.

  1. FEB 4

    Episode 34: Laura Moss

    Laura Moss is a Stability and Radiological Analysis Engineer at GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy. She has a chemical engineering degree from Virginia Tech Department of Chemical Engineering a  master’s from NC State University Nuclear Engineering. We covered some fascinating topics during our conversation—everything from ethics and safety in nuclear engineering to why clear and concise documentation is critical in the field. Laura also shared some great advice for engineering students on how to stand out at job fairs and make a strong impression on potential employers.

    27 min

  2. 12/02/2025

    Craig Keys

    Ever wondered how engineering drawings and a few failures can shape an engineer’s career? In this episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, we sit down with Craig Keys, an alum from Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering and a Senior Engineer at Caterpillar Inc. Craig takes us behind the scenes of designing drivetrain systems for small wheel loaders, shares why GD&T is a game-changer for engineering drawings and global communication, and explains why failure isn’t just inevitable—it’s essential. Beyond his technical expertise, Craig is passionate about giving back to the community. He served on the board of Lifting Minorities and helped lead scholarship efforts like the George L. Paige Award, ensuring future generations have opportunities to succeed. As an added bonus, tune in to hear his most memorable moments from his time at Tech and how they still influence his work today!

    37 min

  3. 11/04/2025

    Hannah Carroll, P.E.

    We’re thrilled to welcome Hannah Carroll, P.E. to the next episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast! Hannah brings a fascinating blend of engineering expertise and forensic insight to the conversation. With a bachelor’s degree from Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering and a master's degree from Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech, she’s built a career that bridges biomechanics, mechanical systems, and the legal world. Currently a Mechanical/Biomechanics Engineer at S-E-A, Hannah reconstructs accident scenarios and analyzes injury mechanisms using physics, lab testing, and simulation. Her work supports forensic investigations and safety evaluations in high-stakes environments.

    24 min

  4. 09/29/2025

    Dr. Ashley Taylor

    What happens when engineering meets health equity? In our latest episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, we sit down with Ashley Taylor, Ph.D., MPH, a powerhouse in interdisciplinary research and inclusive education. Ashley brings a unique blend of expertise—holding degrees from Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering, Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine, and Virginia Tech Engineering Education—and is currently a Collegiate Assistant Professor in Biomedical Engineering and Mechanics at Virginia Tech. Her work centers on community-based partnerships that aim to reduce educational and health disparities, and she’s passionate about amplifying the voices and lived experiences of marginalized communities. Tune in to hear how Ashley is reshaping engineering education and global health through equity-driven research, and why centering community voices is essential for meaningful innovation. #EngineeringCommunication #HealthEquity #InclusiveEducation #STEM #Podcast #VirginiaTech #BiomedicalEngineering #GlobalHealth #CommunityEngagement

    31 min

  5. 09/03/2025

    Dr. Noel Naughton

    Ever wondered how an octopus or a snake could inspire the future of robotics? In our latest episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, I sit down with Noel Naughton, Assistant Professor in Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering department, to explore his fascinating research in soft robotics—designed for hard-to-access environments. We dive into: 🔹 How nature’s movers (like octopuses and snakes) are shaping robotic design🔹 Why data visualization isn’t just pretty—it’s powerful (shoutout to University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign!)🔹 And the most important section of a research paper (spoiler: it’s not the conclusion 👀). Whether you're into engineering, communication, or just love a good interdisciplinary convo, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration.

    35 min

  6. 04/30/2025

    Eszti Varga

    In this season's final episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, Aleem Ahmed talks with Eszter Anna Varga, a graduate of both Kevin T. Crofton Department of Aerospace and Ocean Engineering at Virginia Tech and Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering. She's currently an Aerospace System Safety Engineer at Honeywell. This episode has it all: working as an Aerospace Engineer in Europe (an uncommon field in Hungary); dealing with success, rejection, and failure as an engineer; and the importance of writing in engineering. Bonus feature: hear her behind-the-scenes story about her recent Ted Talk (hosted by TEDxDebrecen)!

    34 min

  7. 03/31/2025

    Jim Hess

    We have another episode ready for you! In this episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast, we talk with Jim Hess. Jim has an impressive resume, holding management and leadership positions at companies like Stanley Black & Decker, Inc., and Saft. He now spends his time as an Instructor for Engineering Capstone Programs in the Virginia Tech Mechanical Engineering department. If you're interested in how to be an effective mentor over the course of your engineering career, you'll want to listen to this episode.

    31 min

  8. 03/04/2025

    Yedhartha Sai Chinnasani

    We're back with another episode of The Engineering Communication Podcast! In this episode we talk with Yedhartha Sai Chinnasani, E.I.T, a Rolling Stock Engineer at Mott MacDonald. Tune in to learn more about effective documentation skills and the benefits of volunteering for FIRST Robotics Canada!

    23 min
See All (35)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

Engineers are known for doing so many amazing things, but none of those things would be possible without effective communication. From writing technical reports to presenting their research findings, engineers are required to communicate every day. Join Kelly Scarff and Matthew Wood as they interview engineers from all sectors of work to find out what kind of communication they use on a daily basis and what engineering students can do now to prepare.

Information