Dame Ann Dowling, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Cambridge, gave the 16th annual Sir Bernard Crossland Lecture at Riddel Hall, Queen’s University Belfast on Tuesday 21 February. The theme of her was 'Universities, Innovation and Growth'. A world authority on combustion and acoustics, Prof Dowling discussed the role of universities in stimulating growth through the people they educate and through their research and enterprise activities. She placed particular emphasis on the importance of partnership between universities and businesses to ensure that these benefits are realised. Her lecture, addressed to a packed auditorium, was also part of the Northern Ireland Science Festival. The Northern Region of Engineers Ireland established the annual Sir Bernard Crossland Lecture in 2001 at Queen's University to celebrate and promote excellence in engineering. Sir Bernard Crossland was a former Pro-Vice-Chancellor of Queen's University. He was Head of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering from 1959 - 1982 and enjoyed an international reputation as a research pioneer in high pressure engineering and explosive welding. He was a Fellow (and former Vice-President) of the Royal Society, a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, a Member of the Royal Irish Academy, President of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers from 1986 to 1987 and a Fellow of the Irish Academy of Engineering.