{"id":4626,"date":"2025-06-23T09:00:45","date_gmt":"2025-06-23T08:00:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/?p=4626"},"modified":"2025-05-23T12:56:18","modified_gmt":"2025-05-23T11:56:18","slug":"international-women-in-engineering-day-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.napier.ac.uk\/library\/2025\/06\/23\/international-women-in-engineering-day-2\/","title":{"rendered":"International Women in Engineering Day"},"content":{"rendered":"

International Women in Engineering Day<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Celebrating Women Engineers: Breaking Barriers, Building Futures<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Every year on 23 June, we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day<\/em>. First launched in the UK by the Women\u2019s Engineering Society<\/em>, it\u2019s now a global movement. It shines a light on the achievements of women in engineering and encourages more girls and young women to see this as a path for them.<\/p>\n

The numbers are improving, but slowly. According to EngineeringUK<\/em>, women make up 16.5% of the engineering workforce. In 2010, it was just 9%. There\u2019s progress, but much more work is needed.<\/p>\n

So, why does it matter?<\/h3>\n

Diverse teams are better at solving problems. They bring fresh ideas, challenge assumptions, and drive innovation. In engineering, where solutions shape lives\u2014that matters. Gender diversity isn\u2019t a tick-box exercise; it\u2019s essential for future-ready industries.<\/p>\n

The UK is home to many trailblazers. Dr. Nike Folayan MBE, co-founder of the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK)<\/em>, champions inclusion across STEM fields. Professor Sarah Hainsworth, a forensic engineering expert and senior leader at the University of Bath, is another standout figure. Their stories are powerful. But for many young women, engineering still feels out of reach.<\/p>\n

Education<\/h3>\n

To get women into engineering, we need to start with early education. A 2022 WISE<\/em> report<\/a> showed that girls are much less likely to choose A-level physics, despite doing just as well as boys in GCSE science. Why? A lack of role models. Limited exposure. Persistent stereotypes.<\/p>\n

This is where schools, universities, and employers can make a real difference.<\/p>\n

Edinburgh Napier University and Women in STEM<\/h3>\n

At Edinburgh Napier University<\/em>, change is happening. The School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment offers strong support for women entering technical fields. From dedicated mentoring schemes to outreach in schools, the university actively promotes gender balance. Female lecturers and researchers at Napier lead projects in sustainable energy, transport systems, and digital engineering.<\/p>\n

Take for example, the work of female PhD students at Napier who are developing smart materials for construction or working on green transport solutions. Their research not only contributes to global challenges but also inspires the next generation of engineers.<\/p>\n

Sarah Taylor<\/strong>, a lecturer at Edinburgh Napier University, has been conducting research in smart, light-emitting textiles since 1995.<\/span> Her work involves integrating optical fibres into woven textile structures, contributing to advancements in smart materials applicable in various fields, including construction.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2023, a team of Edinburgh Napier University students participated in a pioneering construction project in Guangxi, China.<\/span> They collaborated with local universities to build the world’s first bamboo-timber composite gridshell structure.<\/span> This innovative project aimed to explore sustainable building methods to combat climate change.<\/span> Among the participants were female students like Devika Vijayan<\/strong>, Alice June Davyson<\/strong>, and Zara Anam Rafiq<\/strong>, who contributed their expertise in architectural technology and civil engineering.<\/span> The project was led by PhD student Yanghao Pei<\/strong> and supervised by faculty members, including Dr. Ahmed Mohamed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Women in Engineering\u00a0 campaigns<\/h3>\n

Elsewhere in the UK, campaigns like Tomorrow\u2019s Engineers Week<\/em>, run by EngineeringUK<\/em>, and events such as She Can Engineer<\/em> at UCL, continue to highlight female success in the field. INWED itself is packed with virtual events, talks, and case studies\u2014many of them accessible to teachers, students, and parents.<\/p>\n

At the same time, the industry is evolving. Companies like Arup<\/em>, Rolls-Royce<\/em>, and AtkinsR\u00e9alis<\/em> are investing in inclusive hiring, leadership development for women, and mentoring programmes. But culture still matters. A welcoming workplace\u2014where all voices are heard\u2014makes it easier for women to succeed and lead.<\/p>\n

And it\u2019s not just about big firms. Start-ups and SMEs across Scotland and the UK are building inclusive teams, often led by women who studied at universities like Edinburgh Napier.<\/p>\n

So, what can you do this International Women in Engineering Day<\/em>?<\/p>\n