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ADAM SIMPSON
SPECIAL REPORT Friday 23 June 2017 telegraph.co.uk
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Friday 23 June 2017 The Daily Telegraph
Resilient, motivated and inventive
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Chosen by a judging panel from the Women’s Engineering Society, Helena Pozniak profiles the top 50 women under 35 with the future of engineering in their hands. The women are listed in alphabetical order and the numbers do not relect any form of ranking. Camilla Barrow Deputy project manager, Bechtel Ltd Sector: Civil
Camilla Barrow is one of Bechtel’s youngest deputy project managers with experience on vast global projects around the world. She was delivery engineer for the passenger terminal at Qatar’s award-winning Hamad international airport and has wide experience on rail projects in the US. She is currently working on London’s Crossrail, managing a team to deliver systems for the passenger service, ready for December 2018. She is an active member of an industry working group and helps promote the retention and advancement of women in the sector.
1 CEO, Women’s Engineering Society
With more than 500 applications, the calibre of the women applying for the WE50 accolade was as diverse as the sectors they came from – construction, aerospace, automotive, defence, manufacturing, through to academia. Equally we had students from the age of 16 who were working and training as apprentices, and others who had stepped into the arena of volunteering, along with women who had started their own businesses and even an individual who had written children’s books explaining engineering. Some applicants shared their stories of personal struggle and adversity, but with a clear demonstration of resilience. These are highly motivated and ambitious women wanting to succeed, using education as a stepping stone for leading innovation and, in some cases, leading the management of their own teams. The judges were also impressed with organisations providing opportunities for individuals to help people less fortunate – by building infrastructure for the people in Rwanda and other locations around the globe. The common theme throughout was a sense of advocacy, demonstrated in a number of applications.
Currently women make up less than 10pc of the engineering sector in the UK, and with a large skills gap looming and the additional need for a more diverse workforce, it has never been more important to celebrate women in engineering, raise their profile and inspire future generations to choose a career in engineering. National Women in Engineering Day (NWED), taking place today, was initially set up as an event coordinated by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) in 2014. With the success of the event over the past three years, this year the event seeks to raise the bar by going global. This year, therefore, will be the first International Women in Engineering Day (INWED17), again under the patronage of Unesco. INWED is the UK’s largest women in engineering initiative, consisting of hundreds of events. It allows organisations and individuals to showcase their commitment to diversity and women’s achievements in engineering and applied sciences, increasing their overall impact through the INWED brand. Working in partnership, INWED has the potential to spread far and wide to many other countries.
Kirsten Bodley
a North Sea oil platform. She is also an IET mentor and visits schools to inspire youngsters to become engineers.
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The leaders of the Women’s Engineering Society and our WE50 Under 35 judging panel share their thoughts on International Women in Engineering Day
Benita Mehra President of the Women’s Engineering Society
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The Daily Telegraph Friday 23 June 2017
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Kimberley Abbott Customer innovation and strategic growth developer, Thales UK Sector: Mechanical
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Abi Bush Technical adviser, Field Ready Sector: Manufacturing
7 educational and social programmes to foster diversity and equality in the industry, and now works in a managerial role in engineering.
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Chloe Branston Advanced apprentice, CAD (computer aided design) designer Cavendish Nuclear Sector: Mechanical
No stranger to shortlists, Kimberley Abbott was named in 2013 as one of Australia’s 100 Women of Influence (Financial Review), and founded award-winning social enterprise Roka, which uses education to break a cycle of poverty in India. She also founded SheBuild, which promotes economic empowerment of young women. She juggles social entrepreneurship with working as an engineer and in her current role at Thales UK has led large innovation projects on future cities.
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Dr Nadia Abdul-Karim Lecturer, Cranfield Forensics Institute Sector: Civil, mechanical and chemical
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As an engineer and scientist, Dr Abdul-Karim’s research into explosives, shock physics and forensic science have informed experts’ understanding of bomb explosions and helped forensic investigators and police. For more than a decade she has volunteered to inspire younger generations to pursue science and has been awarded for her work to engage young children and communicate her research to the public.
Named Young Engineer of the Year (2015) by the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) Lucy Ackland joined Renshaw as an apprentice aged 16 and went on to be awarded a first-class engineering degree. She has worked on new technologies linked to 3D printing and is currently working in the US, helping to build links between industry and academia. She is also a STEM (science, technology engineering and
Lucy Ackland Senior development engineer, Renshaw Plc Sector: Mechanical
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maths) ambassador, working to inspire young people in science.
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Pavlina Akritas Associate, Arup Sector: Electrical and electronic A chartered engineer, Pavlina Akritas specialises in designing sophisticated natural lighting systems for museums, galleries and other large buildings. She is currently working on the lighting redesign of Abu Dhabi international airport. Her work on projects that filter natural daylight into large galleries has won awards for design and innovation. As a volunteer
she aims to encourage and mentor junior colleagues and inspire schoolchildren. She has helped design training on specialist daylighting for architects and also fellow engineers.
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Maela Baker Civil engineer, Pick Everard Sector: Civil Chartered engineer
Maela Baker has overcome dyslexia to lead teams, manage projects and develop new approaches to wastewater modelling and asset management. Work experience on Cornwall’s Eden Project early in her career inspired
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her environmental focus. She has won awards for developing a new tool for predicting pollution incidents for water companies and is currently managing a project to introduce watercourse alterations to improve wildlife habitats. As a keen STEM ambassador, she often visits local schools and attends science events, and she is also a regional chair for the IET.
An outstanding apprentice, Chloe Branston joined in 2014 and will qualify as a mechanical engineer in 2018. She recently led a team to deliver a 3D modelling project for a customer. She works with schools to highlight opportunities available to young women and is creati resources for creating other employees to inspire young schoolchildren. h She helped to establish a youth voice network in co the company, dedicated to helpin younger employees helping voice opinions to the leader leadership team.
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Kerrine Bryan Electrical engineer and author, Butterfly Books Ltd Sector: Electrical and electronic
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A chartered engineer, Kerrine Bryan has won many awards, including one of the UK’s top 35 women in business under the age of 35 (Management Today). She set up a company to publish career-themed picture books such as My Mummy is an Engineer and has worked in industry as lead electrical engineer for the living quarters of
ScottishPower would like to congratulate everyone on the Top 50 Women in Engineering list – your achievements have and will continue to inspire women coming into the sector’ Scottish Power
Bechtel is committed to inclusion and diversity, and supports the WE50 campaign. We help women to work in engineering through mentoring, unconscious-bias training and showcasing opportunities that a Bechtel career offers Bechtel
BAE Systems is committed to developing a diverse workforce, and the WE50 campaign is a fantastic way of celebrating the achievements of women engineers and inspiring more to follow in their footsteps
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Victoria Brown V M Maintenance a apprentice coord coordinator, EDF E Energy Sector: Secto Electrical and e electronic
Nucle industry apprentice Nuclear of the year, Victoria Brown was p promoted swiftly to appre apprentice coordinator, and is at the forefront effo to attract more of efforts wome into engineering women within the company. w She works closely with
Abi Bush works in pioneering disaster relief efforts as a design and manufacturing engineer. She has used 3D design and printing to create essential items to save lives, notably in Nepal after the severe earthquakes of 2015. Her work in printing fetoscopes to monitor foetal health has helped more women give birth safely in camps. The work also helped to restore power to hospitals by printing spare electrical parts. She worked with a Nepalese inventor to create smokeless stoves, sparing local people the harmful effects of cooking smoke, and helped train 500 people in Nepal in 3D manufacturing techniques and gave a presentation to the United Nations about humanitarian work. She has overcome the logistical and technical challenges of working in the aftermath of an earthquake. She now helps to improve disaster response by scaling up projects, advising in the field and inventing new, robust machines. She has recently returned from Jordan after helping with the emergency response to the Syrian crisis.
SUPPORTING WE50 UNDER 35
BAE Systems
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The Daily Telegraph Friday 23 June 2017
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Angela Carr volunteer, she also mentors Mechanical engineer, schoolchildren taking part in engineering EDF Energy Sector: Mechanical competitions.
Chartered engineer Angela Carr began as an apprentice and at one stage was the only woman engineer in a 700-strong department. She now works as a mechanical engineer at Cottam power stations in Nottinghamshire and colleagues have described her as “inspirational”. She is a working mother and an active member of EDF’s local women’s network – a group that she helped to found. She is also a STEM ambassador for young women entering the sector.
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Dr Kim Cave-Ayland Control engineer, Culham Centre for Fusion Energy Sector: Electrical and electronic Dr Cave-Ayland helps make stars every day at work – balls of hydrogen plasma that briefly burn hotter than the centre of the sun. At the Culham Centre for Fusion Energy, engineers and physicists are working to create a low-pollution power source. As an engineer and researcher, she works on the control systems to keep the plasma safely contained and under check, and she’s currently working on a system upgrade. As a STEM ambassador and company
Frances Dixon completed her engineering degree while on day release from work to gain first-class honours. As a manager of a small team in highway maintenance, she has pushed hard to hire more women engineers within the business. She has also volunteered in schools and as a STEM ambassador.
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Helena Conceição Senior project manager, Carillion plc Sector: Civil
A trained chartered engineer from Portugal, Helena Conceição left Lisbon for Africa, where she worked on transport infrastructure in Angola, Ghana, Tanzania and Zambia. Risk assessments while there included marauding elephants and poisonous spiders. After witnessing severe levels of child poverty, she organised company volunteers to upgrade facilities and deliver STEM challenges for orphans and destitute children. She’s currently managing a sizeable station development north of London, where she’s responsible for rail systems and civil engineering. Multi-talented and a vocal advocate for the sector, she mentors female graduates and volunteers for women’s initiatives.
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Sophie Dent Systems engineer graduate, BAE Systems – Submarines Sector: Mechatronics
Still a graduate trainee, Sophie Dent made her mark in the company by founding an award-winning project to link BAE Systems with
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Nikita Hari Doctoral scholar and social technology entrepreneur, University of Cambridge Sector: Electrical and electronic
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Louise Ellis Senior engineer, Ove Arup & Partners Limited Sector: Civil
15 girl guiding and raise the profile of women engineers among young girls. She has helped create a new engineering challenge, Clever Cogs, with a view to taking the ingenious initiative worldwide. She has represented the company at numerous events and is a regional coordinator for the Women’s Engineering Society (WES).
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Dr Priyanka Dhopade Senior research associate, Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford Sector: Aerospace A postdoctoral aerospace engineer, Dr Dhopade is an expert in computational fluid dynamics and is currently collaborating with Rolls-Royce to develop innovative heat transfer methodologies in jet engines. She has won many academic prizes and awards, including a prestigious Amelia Earhart Fellowship. Founder of a Women in Engineering network within the university, she has sought out female role models and organised events to engage teenage girls.
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Frances Dixon Construction manager, Colas Ltd/CVU Sector: Civil
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further postgraduate study. She began her career working on the 2012 Olympics sites in East London, and speaks to youngsters to inspire future engineers.
Named top student of the year, construction manager
A scientist and social entrepreneur, Nikita Hari works to inspire and help socially disadvantaged children around the world – especially young girls – to take up science, engineering and research. She has also co-founded two social enterprises. She holds a string of awards from industry, universities and charities for her vital work and regularly speaks at science events. She also consults for an online tutoring initiative designed for Syrian children. She is currently researching electrical engineering.
Named as one of Forbes’ 30 under 30 Europe, chartered engineer Louise Ellis’ work is characterised by an innovative use of technology to meet water challenges, and also to save on cost and environmental impact. She has worked on projects to weatherproof vast infrastructure works, including the New York subway system. She has designed a retrofit green infrastructure in South Wales to cut flooding and sewage pollution, and developed a 30-year business strategy for a UK water company, taking climate change and the demographics into account. Active in organising school engineering challenges, she also mentors junior colleagues at work.
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Dr Ozak Esu Electrical engineer, Cundall Sector: Electrical and electronic Dr Esu joined Cundall as a graduate engineer while completing a PhD researching low-cost electronics to monitor wind turbine blades. She has worked on sustainable building designs for schools, leisure centres, offices and homes. She has recently worked on an awardwinning project recognised for innovation and energy use. A guest lecturer at the University of Bath, she talks about the use of embedded technology and smart building design. In her many volunteering roles, she has mentored BME (black and minority ethnic) engineering students.
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Sophie Harker Aerodynamics and performance engineer, BAE Systems Sector: Aerospace
An active STEM ambassador and former graduate Soph Harker trainee, Sophie works on the aerodynamics perform and performance of future technologies and products. Techn BAE’s Technical Graduate of the Year an and Semta’s Graduate of the Year, she’s represented the company at industry events, taught electromag electromagnetism to schoolchild schoolchildren, created school reso resources and over helped overhaul company sa processes, saving time and he late teens money. In her she wanted to be an astrona which is astronaut, an am ambition she h still holds.
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Dr Lidia Galdino Research associate, University College London Sector: Telecommunications
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A pioneer in the field of optical communications, Dr Galdino first joined University College London on the Brazilian government’s Science Without Borders fellowship, working on a £4.8 million collaborative research programme. She was co-recipient of a Royal Academy of Engineering award for contributions made to optical communications technology. She combines
experimental insight with a deep understanding of digital communications and information theory, and has been involved in key transmission experiments in the field. In Brazil and the UK, she has held many senior roles in professional organisations committed to gender equality, and she also acts as a mentor to teenage students.
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Claire Gott MBE Design manager and UK head of corporate social responsibility, WSP Sector: Civil Chartered engineer Claire Gott, who has worked on
high-profile projects such as the London Bridge Station redevelopment and HS2 at London’s Euston Station, now leads engineers responsible for engineering ideas to transform and regenerate the area around Euston. In a new role, she’s also responsible for the company’s environmental, social and humanitarian impact. As a highly visible role model, she also holds numerous posts to promote engineering and diversity in her work. In 2009 she co-founded international development charity Cameroon Catalyst, which delivers community-led infrastructure projects.
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Louise Hall Commercial services manager, Environment Agency Sector: Civil
One of Management Today’s 35 under 35, Louise Hall is responsible for ensuring that a flood management scheme for the Thames Estuary, protecting 1.25 million people and £200bn of property, is delivered safely. Twice shortlisted at the Women in Construction Awards, she began as an apprentice, excelled academically and is embarking upon
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Ge Gemma Holmes Site manager, Si JN Bentley J Sector: Civil S
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Chartered engineer
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Gemma Holmes manages complex engineering challenges, including designing, building and renovating reservoirs. She combines technical and managerial expertise with an ability to engage local communities through communication at meetings, environmental initiatives and school workshops. Generous with her time as a volunteer, she’s a STEM ambassador and mentor to schoolgirls, university students and her own colleagues.
Nada Issa Intermediate mechanical engineer, ChapmanBDSP Sector: Mechanical A former Somalian refugee who arrived in London in 2004, Nada Issa went on to achieve a first-class degree and become president of her university engineering society. She has worked on plans for the Battersea Power Station development in London and was also lead engineer on the British Postal Museum project. She is more often than not the only female Muslim on site, and works hard to promote diversity in the sector, and teaches maths to disadvantaged children.
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Jodie Howlett Product definition engineer, Rolls-Royce Sector: Mechanical With only a year in industry under her belt, student Jodie Howlett is a STEM ambassador and a regional student representative for the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE). She has been granted £14,000 of engineering scholarships from IMechE and the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng). With her heart set on engineering from a young age, she studied at The JCB Academy – an innovative engineering and business school – and was shortlisted for Female Undergraduate of the Year 2017 (TARGETjobs UK).
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Abbie Hutty Lead spacecraft structures engineer, ExoMars Rover Airbus Sector: Aerospace Inspired by the British Mars lander Beagle 2, chartered engineer Abbie Hutty was hooked on space exploration as a schoolgirl. She now leads a team working on the structure of the ExoMars Rover – Europe’s first robotic mission to Mars. With a string of accolades, including IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year and the youngest ever fellow of IMechE – she’s also a dynamic speaker for schools, universities and conferences and has appeared in BBC2’s Stargazing Live with Dara O’Briain and Brian Cox.
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Jessica Leigh Jones Engineer, Sony Sector: Manufacturing, electrical, software and data
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A multi award-winning innovator and STEM ambassador to more than 70 schools, Jessica Leigh Jones first trained as an electrician in night school and went on to get a first in astrophysics at university. Her innovative design of a uterine contraction monitor led her to become the first female UK Young Engineer of the Year and she’s since gone on to win a rising star technology award. She currently leads a research department at the technology company Sony
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and she is currently a Welsh government ambassador for STEM diversity.
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Lynsey Lennon Performance team leader, Scottish Water Sector: Civil Lynsey Lennon’s role involves leading a team responsible for improving productivity for Scottish Water’s huge annual £600 million investment programme, which means convincing experienced engineers to work in new and more efficient ways. She has also worked with more than 1,000 young people to lead activities and help organise visits to live construction sites to inform them of the opportunities in the sector.
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Dr Nan Li Lecturer, Dyson School of Design Engineering, Imperial College London Sector: Mechanical Known for her innovative research, Dr Li focuses on breakthrough technologies to create strong lightweight vehicles that can have a positive environmental impact. She has contributed to many patented technologies, and has also supervised and mentored many Asian women students, contributed to engineering outreach workshops in schools and promoted engineering at public events.
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The Daily Telegraph Friday 23 June 2017
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Eva Linnell Senior engineer, Atkins Sector: Civil
Chartered engineer Eva Linnell’s main focus is to provide clean water, sanitation and drainage for communities, and was recently lead designer for a £6 million scheme for Wessex Water. She works to promote equality and mentors other women. She is involved in Atkins’ women’s professional network, and has volunteered with Engineers Without Borders and the British Science Association. She has successfully chaired the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) Bristol.
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Susan McDonald Senior consultant, infrastructure and capital projects, Deloitte Sector: Electrical and mechanical Susan McDonald has been recognised for her leadership and technical contribution to the energy industry. She has won awards for encouraging diversity. She has spoken alongside leaders at Energy UK’s national conference and volunteered with climate change charity Earthwatch and other sustainability initiatives. She now works within infrastructure change programmes across the power and utility sector.
Orla Murphy Forward model quality engineer, Jaguar Land Rover Sector: Automotive
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Marie Sebban-Lee has dedicated her career to renewable energy and the environmental impact of buildings. She has won awards, shaped landmark projects internationally and informed government policy. She has helped create environmental solutions for projects in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, and worked on UK infrastructure such as Heathrow Terminal 2. Almost deterred from entering the profession after a teacher questioned her ability, she is now environmental consultant on a London redevelopment and mentors junior employees, introducing them to the green agenda.
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Kimberley Norris Systems engineer Leonardo, MW Ltd Sector: Defence
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Marie Sebban-Lee Associate (environmental), ChapmanBDSP Sector: Mechanical
Dr Áine Ní Bhreasail Geotechnical engineer, Arup Sector: Civil
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Kimberley Norris was seconded as a systems engineer to the Royal Navy before a large-scale test of Western allies’ unmanned drones off the British coast last year. Her efforts contributed to the Navy’s strategy for its autonomous systems. She
Dr Lorna Tasker Head of rehabilitation engineering, Morriston Hospital Sector: Medical engineering
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Musician and acoustic specialist Orla Murphy has received Engineer of the Year awards from the IET and the RAEng Engineers Trust, and been named Young Pioneer by The Manufacturer Top 100. She speaks to teachers, parents, students, politicians and chief executives about changing perceptions of the sector. She has worked on sophisticated sound systems for new luxury models released by Jaguar Land Rover.
Dr Bhreasail’s research into frozen ground has informed methods of researchers looking at a variety of materials. She has also briefed politicians looking at climate change. At Arup, she has worked on flagship projects, from the planned tunnel under Stonehenge to The Scalpel skyscraper being built in the City of London. She advises infrastructure companies on resilience to extreme weather and other geotechnical hazards. She has organised events to promote engineering and mentor networks for work experience students. An effective fundraiser for The Prince’s Trust, she has also worked with charities to ensure social mobility in the sector.
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and for Engineers Without Borders in the UK. She is active in the Women’s Engineering Society (WES).
36 with the British Army alongside her day job at Rolls-Royce, where she leads a manufacturing engineering team working on the likes of the Eurofighter Typhoon. She is also a troop commander in the Royal Engineers and completed military training alongside her studies when commissioned at Sandhurst. She has won industry awards and served as the youngest member on the Royal Aeronautical Society council. After studying non-engineering A-levels, she took a foundation year in engineering and went on to join Rolls-Royce’s graduate scheme.
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Lauren Shea Arkwright scholar, TeenTech ambassador, A-level student Alton Convent School
33 is now part of a team that is working with the Government on a strategy for maritime autonomous systems. She has started to coach younger engineers in her network to promote professional development and she is also a volunteer instructor with the Royal Air Force Air Cadets.
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Hiteshree (Tesh) Patel Software manager, Dyson Sector: Electrical and electronic Tesh Patel, who grew up in Zimbabwe, worked first in the UK at Rolls-Royce where her team pioneered
a technique to analyse the effects of a lightning strike on an engine control system. At Dyson she has led a team responsible for award-winning technology products. As a working mother, she attributes her success to a supportive family. As a former member of the IET’s regional community, she has developed a local professional network and organises events. She is the co-founder of a women’s engineering networking group within Dyson, and volunteered with the James Dyson Foundation to mentor schoolchildren who want to enter engineering competitions.
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Victoria Richardson Structural/bridge engineer, Arup Sector: Structural A former graduate trainee, Victoria Richardson has worked on notable projects such as Crossrail. She is currently researching groundbreaking technology of 3D printing with concrete, with funding from an industry award, and will demonstrate her work at the Young Engineers Conference in London next month. She is also encouraging staff to move towards automating design processes. She has supported children through
engineering challenges and run workshops, and mentors UCL students. She has also secured a company partnership with charity Bridges to Prosperity, which builds safe footbridges for isolated communities worldwide, and has volunteered on projects in Rwanda.
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Victoria Roots Senior systems engineer, BAE Systems Sector: Systems engineering Apart from excelling in her work on developing a flight control computer at BAE Systems, Victoria Roots has devoted much of her own
time to boosting local interest in engineering. After requesting more money and support from her company, she has managed to increase the numbers of events, improved work experience placements and seen a rise in applications locally. She helped secure funding for a BAE Systems engineering prize at the University of Kent, and in her role as company ambassador for engineering speaks at many careers events. She is also an ambassador for the Queen Elizabeth Prize for Engineering, and has won a company award for graduate community achievement.
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Sharon Ross Senior cluster engineer, Mars Petcare Sector: Chemical
Committed to developing aspiring engineers, Sharon Ross is one of the company’s youngest senior project engineers. While at university, she won several industry awards, and now she mentors apprentices and visits universities to talk about the sector. The number of women graduate engineers joining Mars Petcare has increased. She believes engineering can drive change and has volunteered for Raleigh International in Tanzania
Student and Arkwright Engineering scholar Lauren Shea has made her mark while at school. As well as the scholarship that marks her as a potential future engineering leader, she has worked at a university space science laboratory and created science lesson plans for young children. She has helped mentor and inspire pupils and scooped a BBC Radio 1 award for her extensive work as a TeenTech Young Ambassador. She has set her sights on the aerospace or automotive sectors.
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Jennifer Stables Senior engineer, AECOM Sector: Civil
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Lara Small Manufacturing engineering manager, Rolls-Royce and British Army Royal Engineers Sector: Aerospace
Chartered engineer Lara Small races motorbikes
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Qatar-based chartered engineer Jennifer Stables is an expert in complex modelling software and an active advocate for engineering in the construction sector. She has helped organise a women’s mentoring programme and speaks at company events to encourage women to join the industry. She has worked with charity Engineers Without Borders in Bangladesh and been praised for her published work on academicindustrial partnerships to train engineers. She is a former organiser and now patron of UK construction industry charity Teambuild.
role in a government maintenance project to dredge the south coast.
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Elizabeth Waterman Senior engineer, PDL Solutions (Europe) Ltd Sector: Mechanical
Chartered engineer Dr Lorna Tasker’s work in rehabilitation engineering has a deep impact on patients’ lives. Her innovative approach has been recognised; most recently her team won the Academy of Healthcare Science Award. She continues to push the use of technology in healthcare, from projects to help multiple sclerosis patients communicate digitally with clinical engineers to investigating 3D wound monitoring for patients with pressure ulcers. She lectures at Swansea University and speaks at national conferences.
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Samantha Thompson Project engineer, Doosan Babcock Sector: Nuclear
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Simone Weber Technical project manager/ researcher, Airbus Helicopters UK/Cranfield University Sector: Aerospace
Famous in her company as the first and only female steel erector, Samantha Thompson joined as an apprentice, completed a foundation degree and works on a nuclear power plant. A dedicated STEM ambassador, she speaks to girls about engineering opportunities. A dynamic fundraiser, she raised close to £10,000 for Alzheimer’s Society by running a marathon, skydiving and climbing Everest.
Simone Weber began her career as an apprentice in a bus company and is now leading a £2 million research project to understand how helicopter
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Katy Toms Infrastructure engineer, AECOM Sector: Civil
Katy Toms has achieved chartered status relatively swiftly. She entered the construction sector in 2008 and has since worked on a variety of flagship projects, from the largest onshore windfarm in Wales to the design of a £60 million regeneration of Plymouth for maritime businesses. Her work to deliver a regional hospital’s helipad was commended by ICE. She has also played a key
A former Arkwright scholar, Elizabeth Waterman was promoted to senior engineer after just four years, when she also received chartered status. She has pioneered the development of new methodologies and completed some 60 projects for international clients. Recognised by colleagues and industry for her leadership qualities, she excelled in an industry development scheme, and now plays a crucial role in mentoring younger engineers. She has also founded a regional industry group to support young professionals in ocean science and underwater technology, and is an active STEM ambassador.
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rotor blades perform in flight. She is responsible for developing sophisticated fibre-optic sensors to gauge the stress and strain on blades as they rotate. The research promises to help create safer, more reliable helicopter blades and have a wider impact in aerodynamics and structural mechanics.
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Dr Catrin Ffion Williams Ser Cymru research fellow, Cardiff University Centre for High Frequency Engineering Sector: Electrical and electronic An outstanding and innovative laboratory scientist, Dr Williams’s research is linked to the interface of engineering and bioscience. After four years of postdoctoral work, she is now investigating the impact that microwaves – found in mobile phones, Wi-Fi, microwave ovens and medical equipment – have on living things. She is an active STEM promoter, and delivers public lectures on her work in Welsh.
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Amy Wright Senior site engineer, Farrans Sector: Civil As a child growing up in South Africa, Amy Wright was perplexed by the use of corrugated iron shelters – too hot in summer, too cold in winter – and her interest grew in civil engineering. As a student she designed, fundraised and delivered a small renewable energy project in rural Malawi to provide power and lighting for 1,000 people, and helping schools and healthcare facilities. Her work won numerous awards. She is now working on a new £117 million bridge in Sunderland. She is a driven STEM ambassador and also an ICE regional representative and award winner – she has reached out to 1,200 young people in the past three years – and has devised new school activities, including the successful Zombie Apocalypse Challenge.
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Friday 23 June 2017 The Daily Telegraph
WOMEN IN ENGINEERING SKILLS SHORTAGE
It’s time to take action What can businesses, engineers, schools and parents do to help more women become engineers? Helena Pozniak lists the things that can make a real difference
WES, Tomorrow’s Engineers and many more list careers resources. Sparxx aims to maintain contact with teenage girls who have shown an interest in engineering. Engineers Without Borders (ewb-uk.org) organises workshops with a humanitarian focus. STEM ambassadors (stem.org.uk) offers an extensive network of young professionals to visit, as well as advice, resources and employers’ links. Enter competitions. Engineering challenges for schools can at see-science.co.uk
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y 2025, the UK will need 1.8 million new engineers and technicians, and time is running out. To fill the gap, schools, parents and employers need to do a better job of convincing women and girls that engineering offers a fruitful and engaging future. Check this list of ideas to see where you could make a difference…
ENGINEERING B E G I N S AT H O M E Parents are influential – research shows at least half of girls look to them for advice when choosing subjects or a career.
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W H AT E M P L O Y E R S CAN DO Traditionally, engineering businesses struggle to keep hold of women who start a family. A familyfriendly culture is key. Consider creating returnships, which allow businesses to offer placements to women returning to work after a break and a phased return to an experienced role. The Women’s Engineering Society (WES) is keen to work with engineering companies to develop potential programmes. The retention rate for science engineering and technology graduates is 25pc for women, compared with 40pc for men. Find out why.
Bubble fun Events like the Big Bang Fair are great ways to stimulate children’s interest in science and engineering and prove the topics can be fun
Part-time and flexible engineering apprenticeships encourage mothers to join, and women often benefit from better careers advice and support during training.
Encourage women’s mentoring and support networks outside management structures.
Volunteer to be a mentor. The IET and other professional bodies help register, train and match mentors. MentorSET, (mentorset.org.uk) organises one-to-one mentoring. Contact your local school and offer to meet pupils, talk about your career, or become a school governor.
Promote visible female role models to whom young women can relate – from a diverse a range of backgrounds, not just senior management. Partner with not-for-profit groups and charities to demonstrate commitment, receive advice and bestpractice policies and gain access to new audiences. HOW ENGINEERS CAN HELP Volunteer for outreach activities. WES relies on volunteers to help coordinate voluntary activities through a network of regional clusters. Its ambassadors engage with local companies to organise visits, networking events, evening lectures, and
even help to advise other companies about diversity. Join a pressure group. Organisations such as Stemettes (stemettes.org), WES and the Institute of Engineering and Technology (IET) Women’s Network (theiet.org) rely on support from professionals. Tomorrow’s Engineers, (tomorrowsengineers.org. uk) recruits volunteers to help in science fairs and engineering challenges. You can also volunteer with Inspiring the Future or register as a STEM Ambassador.
Post a photo on Twitter of yourself at work for WES’s photo gallery of women engineers. Follow WES on Twitter and use the hashtag #INWED17. Organise a prestige lecture by a female engineer, or pledge to use a diverse mix of conference contributors. Set up a women’s membership group and appoint a diversity and inclusion officer. Volunteer to be a mentor. The IET and other professional bodies help
register, train and match mentors. MentorSET (mentorset.org.uk) organises one-to-one mentoring. SUGGESTIONS FOR SCHOOL Find lesson plans and resources for lessons: WES lists some whizzy ideas for teachers. Ever wanted to take a Dyson vacuum cleaner apart? Then jamesdysonfoundation. co.uk has free videos and ideas kits to inspire; Tomorrow’s Engineers and the IET’s Faraday website have resources linked to the curriculum. Engineering UK has founded the Teacher Advisory Group (TAG) to encourage online and face-to-face communication between science and maths teachers and the engineering community, and it is seeking to expand further across the UK.
Organise STEM clubs and activities – The Royal Institution, rigb.org, offers grants of up to £500 for state schools to organise STEM activities chosen from stemdirectories.org. uk. Find after-school enrichment activities and ideas from the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAE) at raeng.org.uk, and more help organising clubs at stem.org.uk. Highlight how science subjects link careers. Girls are more likely to pursue careers they perceive as helpful for society.
Engage role models among family and friends to talk to your children – many of today’s women engineers say they were inspired by an engineer in the family. Encourage your daughter to attend after-school science clubs – find them online at stemclubs.net and youngeng.org. Watch science programmes together, point out engineering infrastructure when out and about – bridges, train stations, airports, etc Bring science home – see The Royal Institution’s Families pages for some lively DIY science activities – make an egg bounce, blow giant bubbles or build a spaghetti tower. Choose toys carefully. Boys are nearly three times more likely than girls to be given toys with a science and engineering focus, and girls’ toys are often pink – which might put them off an engineering career, according to IET research. Think about buying science and construction kits, or build-your-own-computer type toys.
