According to a recent study from EngineeringUK, women make up just 16.5 per cent of the engineering workforce – a number that is on the rise but still falls a long way short of gender balance. The YWE Awards were established to celebrate women working in modern engineering roles and to change perceptions away from some of the outdated stereotypes associated with engineering.
Former winners include Ella Podmore, Materials Engineer for McLaren Automotive, Ying Wan Loh, Manufacturing Engineer at Rolls-Royce plc, Sophie Harker, Aerodynamics & Performance Engineer for BAE Systems and Dr Ozak Esu, Technical Lead at BRE. Last year’s winner was Dr Ciara McGrath, a Lecturer in Aerospace Systems at the University of Manchester. As well as carrying out engineering research projects in the areas of astrodynamics and space mission design, Ciara also teaches university courses and supervises student projects, providing support for the next generation of budding engineers.
“It is such an honour to be the IET’s 2021 Young Woman Engineer of the Year,” said Dr McGrath. “I always say that the highlight of my career was having my name engraved on the side of a spacecraft – but this is a very close second!
“I’ve had the opportunity to appear on TV, radio, and podcasts, to share my excitement for engineering, spaceflight, and the future of our industry. The most rewarding aspect by far has been speaking to ambitious, talented young women who have been inspired to consider a career in engineering. Engineering is a fantastic profession that allows you to change people’s lives by shaping the world of tomorrow. It's wonderful to see so many women excited by engineering, because we need a truly diverse community of engineers to tackle the global challenges facing us today and ensure we can build a better future for us all.
“It’s very tempting to shy away from our achievements and hide from the spotlight, but I have seen first-hand how sharing and celebrating our success can give others the courage and confidence to believe in themselves. So, on this International Women’s Day, let’s take the opportunity to share stories – of women who have inspired us, but also of our own moments of inspiration, determination and success. However small they may seem to us, they can make a big difference in the world."
The deadline for entries to the IET Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards is 1 July 2022. More information can be found at https://youngwomenengineer.theiet.org/.
