About this Event
Women Powering Smart Energy in collaboration with DLA Piper. This event hears from young women engineers and some of their supporters - women role models that have risen to the top of their profession and chosen careers in energy, infrastructre and the built environment. A unique event that will provide insights and shared experiences of what it is like to be a women in what still remains a man's world: the world of Engineering.
Engineering matters. It underpins our daily lives, it plays a critical role in addressing global challenges and helps shape our future, from providing a sustainable supply of food, water and clean energy, to advancing healthcare, and developing technologies that keep us safe and secure.
It’s widely accepted that we must ensure that our workforce is diverse, inclusive, and representative of society if we’re to tackle the built environment and energy transition challenges of the future. So, we should all be looking to diversify the workforce. To tackle this, one of the questions we should all be asking is why aren’t there more girls pursuing a career in engineering? And for those who do, why don’t they stay in the profession?
The pace of change in the diversity of the UK engineering workforce has been disappointingly slow. The number of women studying undergraduate engineering remains low (currently only 16% of engineering graduates in the UK are women) however the proportion of male and female engineering graduates entering engineering occupations is similar (56% vs 52%). There are then challenges in retention, for example, 57% of female engineers drop off the register of professional engineers under the age of 45, compared to just 17% of male engineers.
It’s also discouraging as a young professional that there aren’t many women in leadership positions. This paints a picture that women in the industry don’t make it. The lack of representation at more senior levels means that there are no examples to follow for women in junior positions.
In order to face the engineering challenges of the future, we need to ensure that a range of problem-solving abilities are brought to bear. This variety of approaches needs a diversity of minds. The rise of women in engineering not only brings gender equality but also offers numerous benefits and advantages to the field, including:
Diverse Perspectives: By including more women engineers in the workforce, engineering teams benefit from a wider variety of fresh perspectives and insights. This leads to more creative problem-solving and innovative solutions.
Improved Collaboration: Women engineers often possess strong communication and collaboration skills, ensuring effective teamwork within engineering projects. Their ability to foster inclusivity and create supportive environments enhances overall productivity.
Increased Industry Growth: According to a study conducted by McKinsey & Company, increasing gender diversity in the engineering sector can significantly contribute to economic growth. Adding more women engineers to the workforce leads to higher productivity and increased innovation, driving industry growth.
Agenda
Guests arrive from 5.30pm for a 6pm start
6pm to 6.10pm - Opening Remarks From Chair, , Partner, Global Co-Chair, Energy and Natural Resources Sector and International Co-Head, Sustainability & ESG, DLA Piper
6.10pm to 6.40pm - Young Women Engineers - Shared Experiences, One Voice
Panel Moderator - , Partner, Global Co-Chair, Energy and Natural Resources Sector and International Co-Head, Sustainability & ESG, DLA Piper
, CEng MIMechE – Manager at Baringa
, Meng MechE - Junior Design Engineer at Nala Renewables
BSc (Hons) PIEMA -Environmental Engineer, Renewable Energy at Aker Solutions
, MEng, Renewable Energy - Consultant - Green Transition at ICF
, MEng, Renewable Energy Engineering Student at Exeter University
, BEng, MScEng Energy and Power Systems Management - Assistant Project Engineer at Innovo Renewables S.p.A
6.40pm to 7.10pm - Women Role Models & Supporters - Shared Experiences, One Voice
Panel Moderator - - Partner and Regional Co-Head, International Arbitration Europe, DLA Piper
, PhD Chemical Engineering - SVP Energy Transition and Executive Committee member at Vallourec
- Energy Transition expert and NASA Space School Alumna, Energy Transition Lead, Net Zero Strategy, Senior Manager at Deloitte Monitor
, MEng Mechanical Engineering - Independent Advisor and Consultant
- Deputy Director and Head of Project Futures at the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA)
, MSc, Sustainable Electrical Power -Commercial and Strategy Director, Accelerating Net Zero with AI
- Partner, Construction and Major Infrastructure Projects at DLA Piper
7.10pm to 7.40pm - Audience Q&A Session with all Panellists
7.40pm to 9pm - Closing Remarks and Networking Drinks Reception
Event Venue & Nearby Stays
DLA Piper, 160 Aldersgate Street, London, United Kingdom