21 Jun 2019
Loughborough University celebrates International Women in Engineering Day
The University is delighted to showcase its outstanding students, staff and alumnae that represent women in the engineering sector to mark International Women in Engineering Day (INWED) on 23 June.
The event was first initiated by the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) in 2014, and this year is particularly special as it marks 100 years since the inception of WES.
Nine inspirational women from the Loughborough family have shared their stories and what INWED means to them.
Discussing the day, Loughborough’s WES Chair, Naomi Richardson said: “It is about celebrating the achievements of female engineers, breaking down gender stereotypes and promoting equal opportunities for all genders within the engineering industry.
“I want to show that both women and men can be great engineers and encourage future generations of women to consider a career in engineering.”
She is currently studying a master’s in Aeronautical Engineering and names the founder of INWED as someone she looks up to.
“Dawn Bonfield MBE is a huge inspiration for me, both because of her career achievements and for her work promoting diversity in engineering,” said Naomi.
“Her passion for recognising the achievements of female engineers, through the creation of INWED, the Top 50 Women in Engineering List and the Magnificent Women project has recognised the important contribution of women in engineering and encouraged numerous women to pursue STEM careers.”
Dr Ozak Esu graduated with a PhD in Electronic and Electrical Engineering in 2016 and now works at BRE Group as their Technical Lead. She was named as the Institute of Engineering and Technology’s Young Woman Engineer of the Year and also listed within The Telegraph’s ‘Top 50 Women in Engineering under 35’ in 2017.
Talking about her advice for women who are considering a career in engineering, she said: “Attend careers fairs, seek work experience opportunities and network with those in the industry.
“There is a wealth of information online, including the WISE Campaign, My Skills My Life, an interactive game that helps to narrow down the engineering disciplines to pursue.
She continued: “Continuously update your knowledge by revising, practising and being inquisitive about how things work.”
Dr Susan Bullivant, former staff member and the first chair of Loughborough WES, added: “Try to find a mentor to support and challenge you on your career path, and don’t be put off by people who say it won’t be possible if it is your dream.”
Other profiles featured include alumna and Director General of Rail Freight Group, Maggie Simpson, PhD student Nicolette Formosa, and last year’s Loughborough WES Chair, Jennifer Glover.
You can read the full profiles on the dedicated website here.