Our History and Vision
In 1919, Loughborough Technical College welcomed 4 women and over 300 men to study for a Diploma in Automobile Engineering. These four women were Claudia Parsons, Dorothea Travers, Patience Erskine and Verena Holmes. They would become some of the first women to graduate in engineering in the UK.
We know from records kept at the time that in addition to the lectures we would expect today, students on the course would be expected to gain practical experience in the College workshops, working 40 hour weeks, clocking in and out just like a commercial factory.
Claudia went on to circumnavigate the globe in a car; the first woman to do so. She was a member of the Women's Engineering Society and worked as a munitions worker in World War II.
Dorothea Travers was one of the first women to be elected to the Institution of Automobile Engineers. Verena Holmes was the first woman member elected to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
Today, we're advocates for women in STEM. At our Open Days, we host drop-in events for prospective female students interested in STEM subjects. The Loughborough Women’s Engineering Society welcomes an active membership of around 60 students at events such as Careers Fairs and talks with inspiring guest speakers.
We celebrate our history with an annual memorial lecture dedicated to Claudia Parsons. We've welcomed superstar speakers such as Dr. Helen Czerski, Dr. Jess Wade, Dr. Emily Grossman and Dr. Suzanne Imber. In 2019, we announced the name of our brand new hall of residence; Claudia Parsons Hall, our first hall to be named after a woman.
Loughborough continues to move from strength to strength. Over the past 10 years, we have been in the top 5 of producers of female graduates in engineering and technology. In 2017 we produced the most female engineering graduates.
But it's the people who make Loughborough special; our current students and alumni do amazing things. Meet a handful of them.