National Engineering Day 2024 honours inspiring engineering role models
Published: 08/10/2024
National Engineering Day, led by the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) aims to make engineering and the UK’s engineers more visible. Held on 13 November, the day is a celebration of how engineers enhance our daily lives and help shape a better world.
This year's focus is on engineering role models, which will showcase engineers whose contributions have made a lasting impact on society and will inspire future generations.
The event will highlight engineering professionals who are innovative, creative and resilient, with a focus on inclusivity, particularly highlighting the contributions of women, LGBTQ+ engineers and those from minority and economically disadvantaged groups.
The theme of inspiring engineering professionals will come to life on National Engineering Day, when statues celebrating distinguished role models will be revealed, honouring their contributions to the industry. It is an opportunity for the public and the engineering community to acknowledge the vital role the profession plays, including in solving global challenges like climate change and inequality.
Many engineers find inspiration through role models, such as family, teachers or prominent figures. Often, childhood experiences, such as building projects, science fairs or workshops can spark curiosity and an interest in solving complex problems with the aspiration to make a positive contribution to society.
Agnieszka Jezierska MSc CEng MCIHT holds a strong belief in the importance of having role models in engineering: “Seeing other women in the field, such as my mum who is a land surveyor, made technical subjects and engineering a natural”.
Lynsey Seal CEng MIFireE AMIMechE says her engineering career path was influenced by her father. She recalls: “as a child I would sometimes go to work with him on a Saturday to watch and help. I wanted to be an engineer from around the age of 8 – I was fascinated by how things were put together and worked.”
Another professional engineer, who has been inspired by a family member is Oyeniyi Ibidapo-Obe MSc CEng FIHE. He reflects on how his father propelled him into the world of engineering: “From my earliest memories, I was captivated by his unique problem-solving ability, his dedication to analysis, and his deftness in translating abstract concepts into tangible, practical applications”.
A perhaps unusual motivation for exploring engineering as a career choice is that of Paula Louise Pritchard PGDip MEng CEng MIET MINCOSE. She was inspired by a 1990s TV series called ‘Bugs’. She explains: “It featured a female engineer and inventor, Roz, who regularly saved the day (and her male colleagues) by using her intelligence and ingenuity.”
These stories illustrate the diversity of influences or role models in inspiring the next generation of engineers.
To find out more about National Engineering Day and to take part, please visit the Royal Academy of Engineering website.