Renowned scholar Professor John Heywood has released a major new work titled In Search of Technological Excellence: Education and Engineering in Post-War Britain, published by Oxford University Press. The book offers a deep exploration of how engineering and technological education evolved in Britain in the decades following World War II, providing fresh insights into the relationship between education, industry, and innovation.
A leading international authority on engineering education, Professor Heywood has written or co-authored more than 200 academic works, including 20 books. His contributions span multiple areas of research, from curriculum development and teacher education to the broader public understanding of engineering.
A Distinguished Academic Career
Professor Heywood, now 95, served as Chair of Teacher Education at Trinity College Dublin from 1977 until 1996. During his tenure, he was instrumental in advancing educational research and practice in Ireland.
His early academic work included editing the first handbook for optical and radio observers of artificial earth satellites, marking the beginning of a lifelong commitment to promoting technological and engineering literacy. He later directed one of the first systematic studies examining what engineers actually do in their professional practice — a project that influenced thinking on engineering education internationally.
In recognition of his lifelong contributions to the field, Professor Heywood became the first non-U.S. national to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award from the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) in 2023.
Commitment to Education and Community
A resident of Bray for nearly 50 years, Professor Heywood has made significant contributions to education beyond academia. He served as Chairman of the Board of Management of St. Fergal’s National School in Bray and, in 2015, led the process of merging its junior and senior schools into a single institution.
During the 1980s and 1990s, he directed the Christian Brothers’ school technology projects in Ireland, guiding the establishment of the Marino Curriculum Service, which undertook pioneering research in technology education. This work helped Trinity College Dublin launch a national in-service programme that enabled teachers—particularly those in rural communities—to earn diplomas and master’s degrees locally.
Professor Heywood’s archival papers, including his work on the Committee on the Form and Function of the Intermediate Certificate, the Curriculum and Examinations Board, and various studies in teacher education, are now preserved in Trinity College Library, accompanied by his personal commentary.
A Legacy of Excellence
In Search of Technological Excellence: Education and Engineering in Post-War Britain stands as both a historical study and a reflection on a lifetime dedicated to education, research, and the advancement of engineering understanding.
The book is now available from Oxford University Press.
