15 May 2025
Award-winning educator Philippa Martin FEngNZ has been designing next generation wireless communications technology for more than 25 years (3G–6G), resulting in more than 90 international research papers and a United Kingdom patent. She’s passionate about empowering young leaders and creating inclusive engineering environments where all people can thrive, excel and contribute.
Philippa’s passion was evident in her work as vision setter and founder of the UC ENG ME! peer mentoring programme (2023 ENVI Award winner). This work was part of a broader strategy she led as Dean of Engineering (First Year). Her impact on engineering education was recognised with a 2023 Te Whatu Kairangi Aotearoa Tertiary Educator Award and 2024 UC Teaching Medal. Philippa is now leveraging her expertise in leadership and coaching to support engineering leaders and teams to thrive.
What’s on your bedside table?
A Tiffany style lamp, water bottle, old iPad mini (for logic games and books) and a clock radio. My paper books are beside my reading chair overlooking my garden. I love Fish! A Proven Way to Boost Morale and Improve Results by Stephen C Lundin, Harry Paul and John Christensen. You can’t always be where you want to be, but you can choose your attitude and make the best of it. Another favourite is Juliet’s School of Possibilities by Laura Vanderkam. It is a great reminder to look at the possibilities and how you are spending your time and energy, while among the noise and busyness of modern work life.
How do they help you in your role?
The attitude we bring to the table has an impact not only on our enjoyment of the working day, but on the people who work with us. We can choose our attitude, regardless of the circumstances. It’s easy to get focused on busy work and miss the impactful opportunities and possibilities that surround us. It is important to zoom out and live with intention.
Which group of engineering professionals are these books most helpful for?
Fish! is great if you or your team members are feeling flat or disengaged. When you can’t change the work you are doing, you can still change how you are doing it and have more fun at work. Juliet’s School of Possibilities is an easy-to-read short fable if you’re feeling completely swamped with email and work demands and feel life is happening to you, not for you.
What’s the top book you’d recommend to other engineers and why?
The Māori Made Easy book series by Scotty Morrison. Understanding language is a key part of understanding culture and hence providing a foundation for partnership. Inclusion on Purpose by Ruchika Tulshyan is a thought-provoking read on individual and organisation behaviours for intentionally fostering inclusion, which is an impactful read for all engineers.
What book has most changed the way you work?
There are many. The One Minute Manager Meets the Monkey by Ken Blanchard brought awareness and intention to what tasks and problems I chose to take on.
What work-related books are on your must-read list?
For my engineering research I go to Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers journals for the latest advances in wireless communications. The technical aspects often feel like the easiest part of engineering. So, there is a stack of coaching, equity and leadership books in my reading pile to best support engineering leaders to thrive in their roles and create empowering and inclusive environments for their teams.
What do you read for fun?
I enjoy reading autobiographies and memoirs such as Becoming by Michelle Obama, Long Walk to Freedom by Nelson Mandela and Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor E Frankl.
SPEED READ
Ebook/paper copy – both + audio books.
Borrow/own – both.
Bookmark/turn down page (my interpretation of the word “bookmark” is expansive).
This article was first published in the March 2025 issue of EG magazine.
