When it comes to unforgettable teaching, Professor Kate O’Brien stands out. Known for her creative and unconventional approach to engineering education, Kate has spent more than 20 years turning abstract chemical engineering concepts into life-long lessons - and inspiring the next generation of engineers along the way.
By weaving storytelling into her engineering classes, drawing on everything from classic literature like Moby Dick, to life hacks and everyday mishaps, Kate helps students grasp complex concepts, think critically, and connect theory to the real world.
One of those inspired students is Dr Shaun Chen, now a lecturer in chemical engineering and an international engagement academic at UQ. Shaun was a third-year student in Kate’s heat and mass transfer class - and he still remembers the lessons that changed everything.
To explain heat transfer, Kate asked her students to imagine packing an esky for a camping trip: how do you keep your drinks cold the longest? Through this simple, relatable scenario, she brought the process of heat transfer to life.
“I still remember it vividly,” Shaun says. “Kate’s teaching wasn’t just informative - it was memorable. She helped us see the concepts.”
For Shaun, Kate’s passion for abstract and creative teaching methods using storytelling to make difficult ideas accessible didn’t just help him to learn - it inspired him to teach.
After graduating, he worked as a research assistant in engineering education under Kate’s mentorship. Today, as a university lecturer himself, he’s walking the path she helped him discover.
“Kate’s been a role model from the beginning. Her passion, her creativity, her commitment to students - it’s something I strive to carry forward in my own teaching.”
Reflecting on Shaun’s journey, Kate says:
“It’s one of the greatest privileges of teaching - seeing your students grow, then go on to inspire others. Watching Shaun develop into such a thoughtful and passionate educator has been incredibly rewarding.”
Kate’s impact reaches far beyond her classroom. Through students like Shaun, her influence continues to shape how engineering is taught - and inspire future engineers.
Kate recently shared her teaching philosophy on the Higher Ed Heroes podcast, offering a glimpse into how she sparks curiosity, encourages lifelong learning, and nurtures the kind of big-picture thinking today’s engineers truly need.
We’re proud to celebrate educators like Kate, who go beyond the textbook to prepare students with skills that matter - both in engineering and in life!
Listen to Kate’s Higher Ed Heroes podcast to be entertained, informed and inspired in equal measure!
