‘STEaPP Chat’ is our new format of short chats with researchers, educators, and policy advisors, showcasing the work we do at the Department of Science Technology Engineering and Public Policy (STEaPP) of University College London (UCL). The 20-30 min long chats will not only demonstrate how academic work ties into the world of policymaking, attempting to improve peoples’ lives, but also shows why we teach what we teach. This special edition is recorded outside the Houses of Parliament. Alan Seatwo talks to Professor Jeremy Watson CBE, Director of the PETRAS Hub and Professor of Engineering Systems at UCL about the works of PETRAS and their impacts. Join in for future episodes and keep an eye out for ‘STEaPP Chat’. You can also follow @UCLSTEaPP @PETRASiot @AndyPKopp and @aseatwo on twitter. Sources of images: • PETRAS • Pixabay