The Woman Engineer – Spring 2005

12 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2005

WES MEMBERSHIP SURVEY

Which discipline of engineering Which of the benefits on the list below encouraged you to join If you did not attend the confer - do you work in? WES? ence, was it because: low/no some high ❏ civil Importance importance importance ❏ too far away ❏ aeronautical ❏ not interested in topic ❏ mechanical ❏ ❏ ❏ professional networking opportunities ❏ too expensive ❏ environmental ❏ ❏ ❏ social networking opportunities ❏ not free those dates ❏ electrical ❏ ❏ ❏ meeting role models or mentors ❏ other ❏ chemical ❏ ❏ ❏ opportunities for personal development ❏ other ❏ ❏ ❏ joining an influential voice for women ______in the field ❏ ❏ ❏ taking part in educational/outreach If you did attend the confer - Which subsector of this disci - activities ence, how pleased were you pline do you work in? ❏ ❏ ❏ attending WES events (conference etc.) with it overall? ❏ ❏ ❏ support from other women in the field ______❏ ❏ ❏ careers advice ❏ quite pleased ❏ ❏ ❏ helping other women and girls ❏ somewhat pleased (eg railways, automotive, govern- ❏ ❏ ❏ promoting gender equality ❏ neutral ment, etc) ❏ somewhat displeased What stage are you in your other ______❏ quite displeased career? How pleased were you with the ❏ student Which of the benefits on the list below have you gained as a result shorter (1.5 day) format? ❏ of WES membership? mid-career/manager ❏ ❏ mature student quite pleased ❏ low/no some high ❏ somewhat pleased senior/director benefit benefit benefit ❏ ❏ neutral newly qualified/graduate ❏ ❏ ❏ professional networking opportunities ❏ ❏ somewhat displeased retired ❏ ❏ ❏ social networking opportunities ❏ quite displeased ❏ ❏ ❏ meeting role models or mentors How did you originally hear ❏ ❏ ❏ about WES? opportunities for personal development Should WES hold one-day ❏ ❏ ❏ joining an influential voice for women regional workshops? ❏ another member in the field ❏ academic staff ❏ ❏ ❏ taking part in educational/outreach ❏ Yes, in addition to the national ❏ institution or professional activities conference organisation ❏ ❏ ❏ attending WES events (conference etc.) ❏ Yes, instead of the national ❏ employer ❏ ❏ ❏ support from other women in the field conference ❏ WES promotional literature ❏ ❏ ❏ careers advice ❏ No ❏ other ❏ ❏ ❏ helping other women and girls Do you have any other ______❏ ❏ ❏ promoting gender equality thoughts/comments about last year ’s conference, or the nation - Which WES Circle, Cluster or other ______al conference in general? student group are you a mem - ber of? ______

______Which of these WES activities If you have not participated, ______What is your prefer red method have you participated in during why not? of communication with WES? the past year? ❏ yearly conference ______❏ letter ❏ social events ______Do you read The Woman ❏ phone ❏ local/cluster events Engineer? ❏ fax ❏ lectures ______❏ email ❏ educational outreach ❏ yes ❏ no ❏ website opportunities THE

WVolume 17,oman Number 7– Spring 2005 Engineerwww.wes.org.uk Young Woman Engineer of the Year pp 6-7 Karen Burt Awar d p 7

relationship with the UK Resource A roller coaster ride Centre for Women in SET (UKRC). We have continued to have a good rel- Senior Vice-President Dawn Fitt reviews WES ationship with the Institution of developments over the past year Incorporated Engineers (IIE) through Circle Christmas gathering p2 our support of the Young Woman ence plans were going swimmingly, Engineer of the Year Award and their the rug was pulled out from under help and support with the Lady our feet due to the closure of Finniston Award. The Institution of President’ s Whitehall College. It didn’t end there Electrical Engineers (IEE) and the message either, we had some inevitable Daphne Jackson Trust continued to like an changes to Council due to the fact work with us to run the Daphne exciting that people move on and work com- Jackson Lecture (which for 2004 was life, and mitments prevent them from being enthralling, my husband thoroughly I able to give WES as much time as enjoyed the presentation by Dr Claire it looks as they would like. Davis). The Verena Holmes Lecture though What I have learnt though from Series 2004, hosted by Ford Motor 2005 will last year is that WES is resourceful Company, was a resounding success probably and I don’t mean financially. Council (thanks to Ford Motor Company for manage had support and advice from many of their delivery of ‘Friction, Friend or to keep me amused. WES the members and advisors to WES Foe’). affairs continue to have their and, as a result, we were able to These are just a few of the good little ups and downs (let’s ased upon my experience as a overcome all of the issues highlighted working relationships that we have, hope no big ones). The member of Council for a num- above. but Council and members of WES are national climate will change Bber of years, I had expected We now have a permanent constantly forging ahead to further as the impact of the UK’s 2004 to be a year like any other year. replacement for Cathy, we are still at the aims of the Society, through work Now when I look back, I realise that Old Queen St (thanks to SEMTA for with many different organisations. Resource Centre for Women during my time with WES, I haven’t continued support) and we were able If at the end of 2005 someone asks in SET (UKRC) is felt, and experienced such a roller coaster ride to deliver a superb conference at an me what were the highs and lows of other organisations find their as I had last year. The year started on alternative venue (thanks to the 2004 that made it such a roller coast- positions around it. Our quite a high, with a promising out- School of Management at Cranfield er ride, I’m sure that I won’t remem- friends at DiverSETy in the DTI look for the rest of 2004, but how University). ber the lows. are also facing change. wrong you can be! I am positive that 2005 will offer Internationally, this is an In my day job (before settling down High points some very different challenges, but ICWES year – the conference to a career break as a wife and moth- this year I am going to spend more is in Seoul in August, and er of two young children), I had Despite all of the above, the high time contingency planning because, I INWES will naturally get imprinted in my mind the need points for 2004 have been numerous. know, if something can go wrong it boosted too. UNESCO is always to plan with contingency in We have developed a good working will. mind (if something can go wrong, it doing a major report on will). I was constantly reviewing RISK women in science, engineer- and what it would cost my employers ing and technology, and if a project was not delivered on time, European initiatives should be to budget and to the customers’ sat- happening under the new isfaction. Framework (and with a new I will always remember 2004 as the head of the Women and year in WES that if something could Science unit in Brussels). go wrong it would. Cathy MacGillivray left WES after 11 years We need to ease WES service and members of Council had along in various directions – to step in to cover most of the to reshape the responsibilities administrative work until we found a of President, Secretary and replacement. We then discovered that Council to ensure that the a firm supporter of WES, Dr Michael IN JANUARY the Institute of Physics who worked out the parameters of role of President is not too Sanderson, was retiring from SEMTA launched Einstein Year. It’s 100 years what was physicallypossible and heavy a burden on a busy and we had no idea about his intend- since the publication of Einstein’s tested this by computer simulation. mother (Dawn next year?) or ed successor, hence we didn’t know work on special relativity; the inspira - Ben launched himself off a 6 ft tion for which came to him whilst out high ramp and spun backwards what our future position would hold. someone hard-pressed by a cycling. To open his special year BMX through 360 degrees whilst folding demanding job (you in a few Due to the changes at SEMTA, we stunt rider Ben Wallace performed a his bike underneath him in a move years’ time?); to find new had to find an alternative means for specially devised feat called the known to BMX devotees as a ‘table - printing the journal and, on top of Einstein flip. top’. At one point he was upside sources of funding to that, when we thought that confer- Ben worked with Cambridge down, travelling at 15 mph, with his University physicist Helen Czerski, head 12 ft off the floor. Continues on page 3 2 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2005

The Women’ s his issue features achievements perspective on the differences Engineering Society by women in engineering and between working life and the experi- is a charity registered with the Charity Commission No. 1008913 Tscience. Both the Young ences of women engineers in the US and a company limited by guar- Woman Engineer of the Year Award and here (see page 5). antee registered in England No. winners and the Karen Burt Award This is your opportunity to apply 162096. winner are already proving excellent for a bursary to attend the 13th conducted four years ago and as a All correspondence regarding ambassadors for women engineers. International Conference of Women result of this: the journal was membership and the work of the Women’s Engineering All have busy lives but still find time Engineers and Scientists (ICWES13) in improved, MentorSET introduced and Society (WES) should be to try and inspire young women with Seoul, Korea in August on page 8. a business plan created to focus addressed to: their enthusiasm for what engineer - And while you are in form-filling activities. So please do take a few The Secretary ing has to offer. mood, perhaps you would like to minutes to complete the survey. Women’s Engineering Society 22 Old Queen Street Another WES member has turn to the back page and fill in the The survey is intended to be London SW1H 9HP achieved prominence in their profes- WES Membership Survey. anonymous but if anyone wishes to Tel: 0207 233 1974 sional institution (see page 4) and on This is your opportunity to tell us be identified, or make their views e-mail: [email protected] www.wes.org.uk page 10 we report on the achieve- what you think of WES and how you known in person to a Council mem- ments of several women scientists, would like WES to develop in future. ber, please add your name on the The Woman Engineer Editor : who have won recognition for their Your views are greatly valued by second page where it says ‘add your Pat Battams e-mail: [email protected] ground-breaking research. Council and will be used to decide name here’. Editorial Boar d: New Council member Carolyn future WES policy. We will report in a future issue on Ruth Carter, Lorna Chapman, Dougherty gives us an interesting The last membership survey was the outcome of the survey. Jacky Crook, Eli Fosbrooke, Petra Godwin, Dianne Patterson, Karen Quigley, Connie Shirley, Natalie Wiseman

The Woman Engineer is pub- lished by the Women’s Engineering Society. It is distrib- uted free of charge to members Sur rey & Sussex Circle of the Society and to selected professional women engineers, or the fourth year running, we’ve been asked scientists and women under- graduates at universities and col- Fwhether our members can help out with leges. careers events in the region soon. Subscriptions : the journal is Volunteers are needed to help at the Warwick available to non WES members School in Redhill on 15 & 17 March with their in the UK at a subscription price of £20.00pa (inc postage). Please Opportunities Week, and to help run the Women send applications for subscrip- In Engineering stand at the Fast Track tions to WES. Cheques should be Engineering Careers event in Crawley on 21 made payable to: Women’s Engineering Society. April. Overseas subscriptions : price If anyone would like more information or is by surface mail is £25.00pa. able to volunteer, please contact Karen Quigley Sterling cheques or bank drafts Heart of England Circle on 01403 783137 or email should be made payable to: MEMBERS get together for a convivial festive meal. Women’s Engineering Society. [email protected]. All letters and articles for inclu - sion in The Woman Engineer should be sent to the Editor at the same address. The views expressed in this journal are not necessarily Membership Services, Ned the views of the Society. Cool cars (c) Copyright: The Woman Netherclift, presented the Engineer 2005 t the national finals of the 2005 three teams with their tro- AJaguar F1 Team in Schools phies after James Allen, the Deadline for next issue: 15 April 2005 Challenge, the IMechE sponsored ‘voice’ of F1 at ITV Sport said: three Innovative Thinking Awards for “F1 is a state of perpetual Inside this issue... age groups 11-14, 14-16 and 16+. change – and these students 2 Circle News The respective winners had to design have proved that with the 3 Why men should be allowed a model F1 car and present their outstanding work they have to become full members ideas to a panel of judges. done in this year’s competi- 4 Petra Godwin finds how to The winners were: St Joseph’s RC tion.” sort out work-life balance School in Newport, South Wales, F1 in Schools is a not-for- 4 Kerry Mashford chairs with their Atomic Jo team; Bishop profit company which aims to Team from St Joseph’s RC School Innovative largest IMechE division Gore Comprehensive School in promote engineering as a Thinking winner in the 11-14 age group. The 5 Carolyn Dougherty’s passion Swansea, with their Bishop Gore career. students were inspired to enter by their tech - for trains and a motorbike Eagles team, and Lutterworth Students from St. Mary’s nology teacher Helen Hughes . 8 ICWES - apply for bursaries Grammar School, Lutterworth, South Grammar School from 9 Council Update Wales, with Team Dynamic. Magherfelt, Belfast were crowned National Jaguar F1 in Schools UK 10 News IMechE Director, Engineering and overall winners and scooped the title. 12 Membership survey The Woman Engineer – Spring 2005 11

What sort of articles would you Would you like to see more WES In what ways could WES improve its service to members? like included in The Woman events offered? Engineer, which aren’t at pres - ❏ yes, professional ______ent covered? ❏ yes, social How can WES increase its impact on working practices which need ❏ yes, volunteer/educational ______changing? ❏ yes, other ______❏ no Have you participated in any of In what ways could WES improve its image? the following WES-associated Is the fact that WES is a predom - schemes? inantly women’s organisation ______❏ the most important part of WES ❏ schools/careers talks ❏ irrelevant What is your favourite thing about WES? ❏ Lady Finniston Award ❏ an integral part of WES ______❏ Karen Burt Award ❏ off-putting ❏ Daphne Jackson Lecture If you could change one thing about WES, what would it be? ❏ Verena Holmes Lecture Should men be allowed to join ❏ ICWES on an equal footing with ______❏ MentorSET women? ❏ yes ❏ no Add your name here if you want a Council member to contact you.

The Womens’ Engineering Society 22 Old Queen Street London SW1H 9HP

Please rate the activities below in terms of relevance to WES’ pur - Please rate the adjectives below as appropriate to describe WES: pose. highly somewhat not highly some little or no appropriate appropriate appropriate significant significance significance ❏ ❏ ❏ educational ❏ ❏ ❏ facilities/services for members ❏ ❏ ❏ effective ❏ ❏ ❏ support network for engineers ❏ ❏ ❏ full of strange people ❏ ❏ ❏ advice/role models for educational/ ❏ ❏ ❏ influential careers establishments ❏ ❏ ❏ inspiring ❏ ❏ ❏ advice to governments/regulator bodies ❏ ❏ ❏ lively ❏ ❏ ❏ influencing employers, professional ❏ ❏ ❏ old-fashioned institutions ❏ ❏ ❏ pointless ❏ ❏ ❏ publicity and profile for women in ❏ ❏ ❏ professional science and engineering ❏ ❏ ❏ supportive ❏ ❏ ❏ financial awards/scholarships ❏ ❏ ❏ traditional ❏ ❏ ❏ encouraging young women to join the profession Please fold form carefully and post. Don’ t ❏ ❏ ❏ advice for women returning to work forget to add a stamp. after a career break 10 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2005

Keep us informed of your THE WINNER of the 2004 greater understanding of the needs Royal Society’s Rosalind of its customers and workforce”. latest news by writing to: Franklin Award is Carol Robinson FRS Among the FTSE 100 companies The Woman Engineer, of the University of Cambridge’s the total number of women directors 22 Old Queen Street, Chemistry Department. Professor has gone up from 88 to 96 in 2004, Robinson is a world leader in the field and there has been the largest London SW1H 9HP of mass spectrometry, a technique increase ever in the proportion of or via e-mail to she has used to study interactions of new director appointments going to proteins. women (17%, up from 13% in [email protected] She will use part of the prize 2003). money to fund a mentoring project Top companies in this respect are for undergraduates and to invite Centrica, with three women direc- other eminent women in her field to tors, and J. Sainsbury with two; in New members come and speak at Cambridge. both companies women comprise a Carol Robinson Radi Dontcheva , Gillingham The Rosalind Franklin award is third of their directors. On the down- Barbara Hodgson , Milton open to women scientists who have Prof Macaskie is also working on side the number of companies having K e y n e s developed a field of research with using food wastes from confectionery all male boards has stayed static (31 Lynette Per c o x , Te l f o rd which they are identified and who companies to produce hydrogen to in 2004, 32 in 2003). Isabelle Phillips , Oxford are planning a project to raise the fuel energy cells. To request a free copy of the Dyanne Sharp , Earl Shilton, profile of women in SET. report e-mail: kate.enright@cran- L e i c e s t e r s h i re In her award lecture, entitled GOOD CORPORATE gover- field.ac.uk. Yvonne Stone , Bristol ‘Finding the right balance: from rare nance is strongly linked with gases to ribosomes’, Professor the presence of women on the Student members Robinson described the development board, according to new research Adebanke Funsho , of innovative new mass spectrometry from Cranfield School of B i rm i n g h a m techniques that are giving new Management. The 2004 Female FTSE Sarah Jor d a n , Birm i n g h a m insights into how different types of index offers clear evidence that com- proteins, such as ribosomes, within panies with women directors perform cells interact with each other. better compared to those with all male boards. The photo (left) Dr Val Singh, co-author of the shows Council Female FTSE Report said: “A diverse member Valentina board can generate a richness and Her Royal Highness Princess Anne Macchi (front right) at quality of ideas that is lacking in an presents the 2004 WISE Excellence the Everywoman Award all-male board firmly locked into the Award to Wendy Sadler. Wendy’s ceremony on a Jaguar same mindset. The result is often a company ‘Science made Simple” sponsored table with better managed company, making organises activities to explain science Jaguar Cars managing more informed decisions, with a concepts to girls and young women. director Bibiana Boerio (4th from the left) and BARBARA MAHER, Professor ”Physicists around the UK are mak - other Jaguar women of Physical Geography at the ing vital contributions to our under- engineers. University of Lancaster, has won the standing of climate change and Institute of Physics Chree Medal for global warming, one of the most LYNNE MACASKIE from the her pioneering work using the mag- University of Birmingham’s netism in rocks and soil to under- School of Biosciences has won the stand how changes in the Earth’s cli- Royal Society’s ‘Brian Mercer Award mate have been caused by humans for Innovation 2004’ for her work on and by natural events in the past. recycling road sweepings and urban This work is now helping researchers wastes. predict exactly how the Earth’s cli- Dust originating from car catalytic mate might change in the future. convertors that are found in roadside She was the first person to link gullies are treated by Professor the magnetic properties of rock and Macaskie’s team to extract the pre- soil with changes in climate and the Sir John Enderby with Barbara Maher cious metals into a liquid solution. environment. Understanding this Harmless bacteria are introduced to relationship allowed her to recon- serious problems facing the Earth. the metals and are fed with hydrogen struct the Earth’s climate over geo- The Institute of Physics is delighted to convert them into nanoparticles. logical time-scales; identifying to be able to recognise the work of Other sorts of metallic nanoparticles changes induced by humans as well Barbara Maher in helping climatol- can act as a catalyst for fuel cells to as natural variations in climate. ogists understand major changes in make clean electricity and it is hoped Sir John Enderby FRS, president of the Earth’s climate and how humans that the bacteria nanoparticles will be the Institute of Physics said: have influenced these.” able to do this too. The Woman Engineer – Spring 2005 3

President’s message Continued from page 1 Why men should be allowed to Full WES membership for men such as Howard, who are active in engi - become full WES members neering institutions, would also strengthen ensure WES had ambassadors within our ability these organisations. to carry HOWARD CHERR Y runs a training equal opportunity,” he said. out our and assessment company. At present “Allowing men to become full mem- he is heavily involved in providing bers would demonstrate that WES core busi- training for the new ‘Part P’ of the fully supports diversity.” Notes on membership ness; to Building Regulations and running Howard believes there is an urgent s Membership Officer, I’ve maintain electrotechnical assessments for the need for men and women involved in always found the WES our representation on all Electrical Contractors Association. engineering to work together to Amembership structure sorts of decision-making He was recently elected to the IIE increase the number of young people rather complicated with 8 differ- bodies; probably to find Council and serves on the IIE’s of both sexes coming into the engi- ent classes of member. Article 6 new office premises as our Professional Development neering profession. decrees that only women can be generous landlord of many Committee. “There is a desperate need for Members, Associate Members, years faces cutbacks as its Howard has been an Associate of more women and men particularly Student or Junior Members. If funding has changed (and WES for five years. He was recruited working at the Incorporated Engineer men wish to join WES, they join to monitor the impact of by a colleague at the Engineering level”, he said. “Initiatives to attract as Associates (note, there is a Council where he was work- girls can be equally used to distinction between Associate those cutbacks). There is ing at the time promoting appeal to boys.” Member and Associate.) an immediate need to sort the Neighbourhood He cites the WISE bus The definition of Associates is out the future of Engineers scheme which initiative as an example of as follows “...men or women of MentorSET – Council has has since evolved into this. “Boys could not use not less than 24 years of age who just reiterated its commit- Engineering Ambassadors. the buses during school are of good education and who ment to this project that One of his reasons for hours as this would con - by their connection with engi- has a unique impact on joining was because he val - travene the sponsors’ neering, the sciences or arts or women engineers. We ued the kudos WES member - requirements,“ he said. otherwise will by their association need money, and we need ship offered. “At the time I “But it was agreed with with the Society assist in the gen- mentors. Any help with was trying to get more women the engineers eral advancement of its work and either will be very wel- involved in who were its aims and objects.” Neighbourhood assisting with Having checked the Memo- come! Engineers to act as role the scheme, at randa & Articles, I can’t see that The UKRC is starting to models, I felt that say- that time, that there is any distinction between really roll. It feels like a ing I was an Associate Howard Cherry they could Associates and any other grade of long time since Baroness of WES gave me more allow boys on member, in terms of involvement Greenfield (and Jan Peters) kudos in this respect,” he said. the buses at lunchtime and after in WES. All have the opportunity started on that report, but Howard always enjoyed receiving school hours.” to vote on WES business and all we are beginning to see WES literature and attending the Howard believes that WES and the votes have the same worth. the actions that we occasional meeting. He was delighted other organisations working to pro- All are eligible to hold office as a requested then. WES has a to learn that WES was considering mote engineering for women have Council member and in the past, voice in the UKRC activities allowing men to become full much to offer in their way of doing WES has had male members of through a couple of advi- Members and has expressed his sup - things which might appeal to boys Council (such as, John Hardwich). sory groups, and we try to port for this proposal. who could be encouraged to pursue Any Council member could be be constructive, and offer “I’m a Fellow of the Chartered engineering careers. However if WES nominated as an Honorary Officer the benefit of our long Institute for Personnel Development membership is seen to be exclusively so it is possible for a man to experience. (CIPD) and this body is heavily female, this would act as a barrier to become President of WES. It is good to see WES involved in promoting diversity and boys being receptive to these ideas. As I see it, men aren’t disad- experience also being vantaged by not being allowed to recognised by our invita- Technology aids join WES as Members, but do we tion to take a lead on parts Olympic titles really need to make a distinction of the UNESCO report in our class structure? WES would dealing with ‘the labour echnology had pushed out the have to make amendments to the market’. However, it must Tboundaries of record-breaking Articles of Association to allow be admitted that the UK performances in many sports, said men to become Members and will take up only a small Claire Davies, senior lecturer in this has already been a hot topic part. The report-writing metallurgy & materials at the for debate within Council. We team need to talk to University of Birmingham. want to know what you think so women from across the Claire presented the Daphne please let us know by answering world, and not just those Jackson Memorial Lecture at the our Membership Survey on the who got to the top but !EE on 17 November 2004. At the Athens Olympics the back page. If you’d like to share also those who were First developments were in the sharkskin suit worn by swimmer your opinions on the subject then caught by the barriers 1950s with aluminium and glass- Ian Thorpe to reduce turbulence please write to (or email) the across their path. Please fibre poles for pole vaulting. Since and aerodynamic cycle wheels had Editor so that your thoughts can email me with useful sto- then javelin-throwers, cyclists, ten- enabled records to be broken. be included in the Letters page. ries and far-flung contacts. nis players and golfers had all Timing of these developments was Karen Quigley improved performances with tech- crucial and research was now being Vice President & Membership nologically enhanced equipment. targeted towards major events. Officer 4 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2005

moting careers in engineering for women? Sorting out work-life balance Surely, we’re only addressing a tiny section of that female half of the population who are will- Petra Godwin gets introspective in a (we each have our own list), and note what each ing to admit choosing career over family: defi- group setting role demands of us. From time-to-time we need nitely not in tune with the Zeitgeist! I’m going to to review this, and ask “Do I really need to do start promoting jobs in engineering for women – HELEN ROOME, our facilitator, has a warm smile this? Which roles do I prefer or dislike?” you can have great fun working on really inter- and open demeanour. This encouraged us eight- This workshop really brought home to me that esting projects in engineering between school een delegates to the Roome for Growth work- sorting out a work/life balance is much more and doing that whole family-thing, and if you shop one Saturday in November, to share per- than time management. I am grateful to Helen find an enlightened employer, you might even be sonal experiences. We probably learnt as much and the organisers (Women in Physics with able to combine work with a happy and healthy from each other’s contributions as we did from MentorSET) for providing me with a timely event family life! (No career progression implied!) our course leader, and this is what one hopes in this particular area of personal growth. Would any engineering employer like to work from such a workshop. Details of Helen’s consultancy can be found at with me on this? Contact me at petra.god- Her crisp and efficient presentation included www.roomeforgrowth.com. [email protected] ideas from Stephen Covey’s book, ‘The Seven Sex and power: Who runs Britain? The power of PR and a climb-down Habits of Highly Effective People’. Revisiting these ideas with a few women round a table THE EOC’S report of the above title notes that SEVERAL YEARS ago, via WES, I was invited to really made me realise what I’d missed in my there is only a 1% improvement in women’s the showcasing of a new car: the Ford Focus. At reading of the book! positions in business, the police and senior legal the time I was a teeny bit scathing: the event Helen got us to consider our drivers with a posts during the past 12 was aimed at women simple strength-of-feeling test. Although this is months. Is it any won- and run with the Women not terribly scientific, the five drivers she identi- der! There is still a in Business Network. The fied for us are rooted in our subconscious, and strong career-orientated car was being promoted are remnants of our upbringing. (This reminded attitude in our society. on qualities designed to me of Thomas Harris’ ‘I’m OK, You’re OK’). By this I mean there is an appeal to women (finish- Being motivated is a ‘good thing’, but being assumption that one es, luggage space, use of driven by our ‘demons’ can be not only self- graduates, gets a job in recycled materials). As destructive, but also damaging to our relation- UK plc and is then pro- several of the audience ships with others. moted on the basis of were driving Jags (and We discussed how we were energised to act time-serving. (Those who the rest of us only cared for certain reasons. (Apparently, I have a tenden- are ‘fast-tracked’ are that whatever we drove cy to expend inappropriate energy on ‘being per- exceptions.) got us from A to B), I felt the audience was seri- fect’. Those who know me as ‘the Princess of In a recent conversation with one of our very ously misjudged. (The patronising after-lunch Mess’ may disagree, but actually my clutter is bright female final-year (MEng) students, I asked speaker certainly misjudged us – although I had about the need to control, which is part of ‘per- what area she hoped to go into upon graduat- to admire how he got a reference to pudenda in fect’ pathology. Similarly, taking ages to get ing. She replied that she aspired to have a family just after pudding! A man from Ford nearly had ready to go out; it’s a ‘perfect’ thing coupled and didn’t want to get into ‘that whole career- kittens!) with a ‘please others’ thing – something else thing’. We all know that, because women tend However, I am now considering changing my upon which I score worryingly high.) to play the long-game, girls disregard careers in car, and I have to admit that one of those Focus- Helen encouraged us to ‘brain-dump’ the roles which they will not achieve success within their mobiles is a contender for fitting the bill! Of that we each take on in life – daughter, parent, biologically programmed timeframe. course, any car manufacturers who’d like to per- line-manager, bookkeeper, marketeer, friend, etc So, why are we expending our effort in pro- suade me otherwise can contact me as above!

Ker ry chairs largest IMechE division group member of Cardiff University’s Innovative Manufacturing Research Centre. KERRY JEAN MASHFORD has been elected chair- technology and constructions sectors, majoring Kerry is also a Fellow of the Institution of man of the Manufacturing Industries Division of on strategy, new business development, agile Mechanical Engineers and of the Royal Society of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. The divi- manufacturing, mass customisation, new prod- Arts and Manufacturers and is active on a num- sion is the largest in the Institution, with a mem- uct introduction, complexity and variety manage- ber of professional committees and boards, bership of over 23,000. ment, frequently underpinned by disruptive tech- including the IMechE Manufacturing Industries Kerry started her professional life as a nology. In parallel with these activities she has Board and the IEE Manufacturing Sector Panel. mechanical engineer in medium/heavy co-founded sev- She was instrumental in the relaunch in 2000, of engineering, before taking an academ- eral technology the Manufacturing Excellence Awards and its ic post in the College of Manufacturing based enterpris- subsequent growth. at Cranfield. She spent 11 years with es, and retains a As an undergraduate, Kerry was the recipient Unilever developing its activities in position of direc- of a WES exchange scholarship, allowing her to machine design and technology, later tor in some of study in the USA – a valuable and broadening moving into manufacturing and supply these. experience. chain strategy and the development of She is current- Kerry is married and has two sons. She has a new technologies for Fast Moving Con- ly a visiting lec- keen interest in unique and sustainable domestic sumer Goods (FMCG) manufacturing. turer at the architecture and has built a demonstration home In 1999 Kerry became director of the University of with her husband. She is currently engaged in government’s Manufacturing 2020 Bath and occa- combining the best of manufacturing industry Foresight Programme, since which she sional lecturer at with building design and development planning has worked as coach and project direc- Cambridge and to deliver a step change to the UK’s regeneration tor in companies in manufacturing, is a steering agenda. The Woman Engineer – Spring 2005 9

COUNCILupdate Natalie Wiseman reports on the 22 January Council meeting

he January Council Meeting SEMTA for their hospitality over the The ICWES subcommitee will draw was well attended and covered last 5 years and appreciate all of their up criteria for the fair distribution of Ta plethora of issues in a some- assistance to date. A committee has the bursaries for Council to endorse, what limited time. We were delight- now been established to determine in advance of the issue of the bur- ed to welcome a member who potential office accommodation solu- saries. wished to attend as an observer and tions. would welcome any other members ✦ Carolyn Dougherty has agreed who wished to do so at future meet- ✦ A team has been established to to lead the preparation for this year’s ings. look at the best way to respond conference with the assistance of Pam opened the meeting by giving when WES is asked to employ an Dawn Fitt, Heather Bilton and Julie her report as president, the key individual on behalf of another Winnard. The suggested vicinity will points of which have been covered in organisation or if we are asked to be the Newcastle/Yorkshire areas. It her President’s message at the front suggest members for suitable posts was suggested that this be based of this issue. elsewhere. A vote was taken which around the ETB energy initiative. Key decisions taken were as fol - supported the view that we should Proposed date was late September. A lows: not be used as an employer conduit taster will be inserted in the May Diary ✦ Janet Birkman is to be appoint- for another organisation who were journal. ed as the WES link person at the EEF. unable to legitimately employ an indi- 8 Mar c h I n t e rn a t i o n a l However, as she only has limited time vidual themselves. We will also look ✦ It was agreed to gain quotes for Wo m e n ’s Day lunch & lec- available to do this, she is also into potential conflict of interest a new WES display stand. t u re organised by Aurora at encouraging Cluster reps to get in issues. Comments on this issue the Savoy Hotel, London. touch with EEF reps in their vicinity. should be forwarded via the office to ✦ A new membership survey is Tickets: £80.00 (inc. VAT ) Natalie Wiseman or Alex Walker in being finalised. Members will be Tel: 020 7653 1909 ✦ The website has now been the next couple of months. asked for their views in order that we can modify the business plan accord- 23 April WES Council ingly (see back page in this issue). meeting at 22 Old Queen St, MentorSET currently only has London SW1 “ WES Officers & funds to be able to continue till Council EES Celebration & President Pam Wain Assessment Days Summer this year Immediate Past President 14 Apr Newcastle University “ updated – every piece of information ✦ MentorSET – We currently only Jackie Carpenter & University of Kent which has been passed to Roseni have funds to be able to continue till Senior Vice-President Dawn Fitt 15 Apr University of Dearden has now been included. Summer this year. However we are Vice-Presidents Karen Quigley H e rt f o rd s h i re However, members who believe that looking to see if we can get further Grazyna 20 & 21 Ap r Rutherf o rd information is out of date are invited funding in order to continue beyond Whapshott Appleton Laboratories, to provide alternative amended infor- this point. The legacies committee Hon Secretar y Dorothy Hatfield D i d c o t mation for loading direct to Roseni. will also consider whether they Hon T reasurer Betty McCarthy 21 Apr RAF Wittering, East believe legacy money could be used Midlands ✦ A review of the effectiveness of if necessary. A MentorSET business Council 27 Apr HMS Collingwood, the Clusters will take place at the plan will be brought to the April Heather Bilton H a m p s h i re April Council Meeting. Member feed- Council meeting where appropriate Roseni Dearden 28 Apr F o rd Motor back on Clusters should be input to decisions will be taken. Carolyn Dougherty C o m p a n y, Basildon the WES office in advance of this Sasha Gallagher 3 May H e n ry Ford College, meeting. ✦ International – Grazyna Georgina Hayman L o u g h b o rough Whapshott reported on the ICWES Joanna Knight ✦ It is now understood that WES meeting 2005. A limited amount of Valentina Macchi Dates in other areas will be has no long term security at the money will be available from the Fiona Neads c o n f i rmed later. London SEMTA office and that we ICWES fund for applicants who wish Deirdre O’Neill are likely to be asked to move out to give a paper at this meeting. It Petra Schruth Please send all diary within the next year. This will be one was suggested that favourable con- Alexandra Walker items to [email protected] . u k of a series of cost cutting initiatives sideration should be given to people Julie Winnard or post to the addre s s that SEMTA are required to take. wishing to attend ICWES for the first Natalie Wiseman above. Deadline for next WES would formally like to thank time. issue 15 April 2005. 8 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2005

Application for assistance from Women’ s Engineering Society ICWES Fund Name ______Sue Bird reports on ICWES 13 Address ______ICWES13 will be held in Seoul, by the WES ICWES sub-committee ______Korea on 25-29 August. The by 30 April and cheques will be theme is ‘Women Engineers distributed by 15 May . and Scientists: Main Force to I went to a conference in Korea Are you WES member? Yes ❏ No ❏ Reshape the World’. in 2003, and it is a fascinating Those of you who have been to country with friendly and helpful If not, other affiliated organisation ______an ICWES before will know what a people. I have been told that Seoul fantastic experience it is, and if you is one of the best shopping cities Tel No ______Home ______Work haven’t been then you really in the world, although I don’t think should make an effort. I have I found the right places last time. Fax No ______Home ______Work friends all over the world, who I Do think about going, and apply keep in touch with on the internet, for a bursary as soon as possible. Email ______that I met at ICWES. It has the This will be the first ICWES since atmosphere of a WES conference INWES was formed at ICWES12, Name of company or university ______with an added dimension. and we hope that here INWES will WES has some funding to sup- really start to live. We already have Title of event for which you are seeking funding port people who want to attend things going on, but we need peo- ICWES. Fill in the form opposite to ple who will organise and work for ______apply for one. The closing date is our aims. I think that we will find 31 March ; decisions will be made them at ICWES. Date ______Venue ______Reason for attending ______PAWS and consider How will you use what you learn by attendance to benefit Roseni Dearden reports on a seminar organised by Promoting Awareness of WES & women in engineering? (give specific details in about Women in Science and Engineering (PAWS) which brought together women 100-150 words on an attached sheet) engineers and scientists with TV producers and writers.

What it will cost to attend? £ verall the seminar was a use- we could have Ken Loach and Travel ful way for key players in pro- Andree to produce a drama for us! Accommodation & meals Omoting women in science and The seminar did highlight that UK engineering to propose ways of scientists and engineers have more Conference fees working and influencing the masses obstacles than Italian women. It also Other expenses (please specify) ______through the TV media. I believe that identified that the number of women Total cost the UK can’t produce TV drama that in engineering and science hasn’t impacts on ordinary people as they increased over the last 30 years and Subsidy requested from Fund* ______do in France. We do produce excel- remains around 20%; in some area How do you intend to pay for the remainder of the cost? lent drama such as Silent Witness, the number is decreasing. Life Story, Marie Curie, Newborn but I For me the best speaker was ______I believe these appeal to people who Professor Lynne E Frostick. She is a are already interested in history and professor of Physical Geography at Have you submitted a paper? Yes ❏ No ❏ science but not to the masses. the University of Hull and involved in These are not main stream such as many environmental projects. She has Has your paper been accepted?** Yes ❏ No ❏ Eastenders, Coronation Street etc. I written 100 publications focusing on feel that two dramas produced by a the two most pressing environmental Office use only : WES ICWES Fund Sub-Committee’s Decision French woman are more realistic. problem facing society today – water These portray the woman scientist and waste. ------and engineer as the main character, I enjoyed watching all the bits of When completed, please return this form with SAE by 31 March to: are realistic, motivating, entertaining drama they were showing in the and tackle issues such as parenting, seminar. The Secretary environment, economics and politics I didn’t get any impression of what WES ICWES Fund in the drama. In the UK, the only way action would be taken following the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) to generate change in SET culture is seminar or what they were trying to 22 Old Queen Street to influence the people at the top of achieve. London SW1H 9HP the media pyramid and these people I did, however, manage to promote were not at the seminar! WES to a few students from London Tel 020 7233 1974 Fax 020 7233 1973 email [email protected] I am glad that Andree Molyneux, universities, a few of them are elec- producer of many films and some TV tronics engineers. * the WES ICWES Fund does not grant 100% subsidies series, said that Ken Loach is one of ** the proof of the acceptance has to be submitted the producers who can capture and The PAWS Drama Fund was set up in the identify with ordinary people. Maybe 1990s to bring science and technology into higher profile in television drama. The Woman Engineer – Spring 2005 5

arolyn is currently working New Council member Carolyn Dougherty has swapped life in California for part-time at Scott Wilson York. She describes her present job and the cultural differences she has CRailways in York, partly as an observed, particularly in the status of women engineers engineer and partly as railway eco- nomics/business consultant, whilst didn’t make it over the entire the north, as a civil engineer for a inspections for the North Yorkshire at the same time pursuing an course.” railway consultancy makes my view Moors railway, built in the 1850s, MA/PhD in railway studies at the Prior to coming to the UK, biased, but this has been my experi- and structural analysis of the University of York. Carolyn worked as an engineer for ence so far.” Barwick in Elmet Maypole, just Her two great passions are rail- the Peace Corps/USAID in Malawi, Although Carolyn finds many make me laugh.” ways and her antique motorbike for the California Department of things in this country superficially Other significant differences in Henry, a 1948 Royal Enfield Model Transportation, and for private the same, she has observed some working practices are lower wages significant differences. and longer holidays. “I think it’s a surprise how differ- “Even if I were working full time, ent things are here because the dif- I’d only be making about two-thirds ferences are pervasive. For example, of what I’d make in California, and in America we don’t have electric my cost of living is as high if not kettles. We boil water on the higher here. cooker or in the microwave. “Things move more slowly here, “I love how much attention is largely because people take time paid in popular culture to archaeol- off. In America two weeks’ paid ogy, engineering and history – I vacation is standard, if you’re lucky, can’t imagine an English child but many Americans don’t even use growing up not wanting to be an it. archaeologist, engineer or his- torian. “It seems that you can’t get a visa to live in the J2. Last October she took Henry on engineering and architectural con- UK unless you a challenging rally in northern Spain sultants. She also taught at the have a weird “The ride was for pre-1975 equivalent of a 6th form college in hobby. TV does- bikes, but most of the bikes were at California for four years, and would n’t seem to pos- least 15 years younger than Henry,” like to do that again sometime. sess British peo- ple the way it does Americans. They join clubs, pursue hobbies, and undertake On my bike activities which in my eyes are weird and unusual. I find this delightful.” said Carolyn. “We did come home She observes that women engi- At work in a truck, but that was because we neers in the USA are more prolific Carolyn enjoys Carolyn on her second favourite form of transport picked up a nail in the rear tyre half than in this country. the casual and a mile from the ferry back to “In California I worked for some supportive atmosphere. “I don’t like the fact that there’s England...and plenty of newer bikes time for the state government , “I really enjoy a work environ- only one other woman in my office which made more effort than a ment where everyone chips in to and I’m also surprised by what is no private firm generally would to help. My colleagues are always will- doubt thoughtless, but still upset- hire women,” said Carolyn. “In ing to offer advice and suggestions, ting, minor acts of sexism and one construction office where I and answer questions. I also really demeaning of women.” worked women made up half enjoy how much history there is in One of the delights of working in the engineering staff. And the day to day work. this country is the opportunity to firm I left to come to the UK “My colleague studied engineer- explore the countryside. employed an unusually high ing at Imperial College, founded “My favourite thing in the world number of women. So I grew with money raised from the Great is to take Henry on road trips. So used to having the companion- Exhibition in London, and worked far I’ve done two in the west coun- ship of women civil engineers. for a time at Butterleys, a company try and Cotswolds, and one from “In the UK after a great deal founded in Derbyshire in 1790 and York to Hadrian’s Wall and back of effort I’ve finally met a few a significant ‘player’ in the research (I’ve also ridden in the Fens on a women civil engineers (there I’m currently writing about pre- hired bike – but am not interested aren’t that many even in WES!). 1830 railways. in going back there on Henr y, as he I understand that working in “When I work on railways I often is a bear to handle in the wind!). I’d find myself dealing with structures like this year to spend a week or Carolyn & Henry ready to more than a century old, and some two in Derbyshire and as much as a set off of the projects we get – bridge month in Wales and Shropshire.” 6 The Woman Engineer – Spring 2005

Winner of the 2004 Young Woman Engineer of the Year was Faye Banks (photo right), a pro - duction line engineer at Lever Faberge. Faye left school at 16 without any qualifications; she had been taken into care aged 10 from a broken home. She got a job on a production line for a local FMCG company. “I became frustrated with the role as an operator on a production line because every time it stopped I had to wait for an engineer to rectify the faults. I liaised with the engineers because I was intrigued with every- thing they did so I decided to quit my job and go to college to study engi- neering,” said Faye. She went back into education com- pleting eight GCSEs in one year and a GNVQ in advanced electrical engi- neering and NVQ 2 in manufacturing engineering. She then went on to an Young Woman Engineer apprenticeship at Linpac Plastics and continued with her education, obtain- of the Year ing an NVQ 3 in electrical/mechanical engineering and an HNC in electrical cover, modifications and improve- engineering at Whitwood College. ments, for the control systems at the She won best overall engineering stu- WES prize Magnox East River Plant (MER) in dent and Principal’s Award for Wo- Cumbria. Altogether the team has men into Science and Engineering. Claire Woolaghan won the WES 100 programmable electronic systems In 2002, Faye was presented with prize as runner-up to the Young for which they are responsible and the Yorkshire Woman of Achievement Woman Engineer of the Year. have five ongoing programmes to – Business Award and the Mary Claire is a control systems team replace the legacy control systems. George Memorial Prize. Faye was leader with the British Nuclear Group. Claire always knew that she want - head-hunted for her present job with She manages a team of ten engi- ed to be an engineer and decided to Unilever. neers, who provide support in the take the practical route into engineer- “In my role as production line engi- form of maintenance, breakdown ing, after speaking to established neer, I am responsible for supporting the engineering improvement activi- ties in the local factory. I work on improvement projects, develop a high performance team and contribute to high manufacturing performance. “I love my job because of the vari- ety of work involved in my role,” said Faye. “Winning the Young Woman of the Year is the epitomy of everything that I’ve worked for in my life. If you work hard you eventually reap the rewards. I’m currently studying with the Open University for my Master’s Degree, it’s not easy because I do so much in my spare time but I will achieve this qualification with hard work. “In my spare time I’m an ambassa- dor for NSPCC, I visit children and help them do homework and talk about my life experiences. I’m a member of Ackworth Road Runners and I qualified for the Elite Womens’ race in this year’s London Marathon which I’m currently training for. I’m also working as an IIE ambassador.”

Claire Woolaghan with Pam Wain The Woman Engineer – Spring 2005 7

engineers whilst on work experi- haven’t been able to give the ence. time,” she said. “One of my roles in Upon leaving school, in 1992, scouting is Village UK Manager – Claire embarked upon an appren- an activity area at EuroJam (a ticeship as an instrument mechanic European Scout Jamboree to be at BNFL where she completed an held in July/August 2005 for NVQ before going on to complete 16,000 young people from all over an HND and then a BEng (Hons) at Europe, of which about 4,000 will the University of Central Lancashire. be from the UK). Within Village UK “The advice I received from those there is an area called Innovations engineers definitely paid off. I was which is all about British Science able to continue with my education and Engineering and getting young whilst gaining practical experi- people involved in activities to get ence,” said Claire. them interested and help them “I love the buzz of doing a job learn. So if there are any engineer- where I know people are depend- ing companies that would like to ing on me,” said Claire. “I want to sponsor an activity or provide a continue to develop and progress donation towards the Village I within the engineering field. I’m would be really interested to hear not setting limits, just challenges.” from them!” She first saw the Young Woman Engineer of the Year competition advertised a number of years ago The Young Woman Engineer but didn’t feel at the time that her of the Year competition is job had sufficient responsibility or sponsored by the Institution challenge to qualify her to enter. of Incorporated Engineers (IIE) In September when Claire heard and the Caroline Haslett that she had reached the finals she Memorial T rust to find out - was really excited. “I came away standing young female engi - bouncing. I felt very positive and neers who have established actually enjoyed the experience,” themselves as technically she said. excellent professionals and “ I hope that my success will help who provide role models to me progress in the future!” Claire inspire other young women . said. “It has showed me how much Pam with Suzanne Bland at the presentation following the Daphne work needs to be done to encour- Jackson lecture age women into engineering. My gender was never an issue when I Suzanne Bland , a civil engineer was younger and I became an engi- working for KBR Government & neer because I wanted to, perhaps Infrastructure, is the winner of the fact that my dad is also an the 2004 Karen Burt Award. Karen Burt Awar d engineer helped. I think the ques- Suzanne’s role in KBR is Assistant tion we have to ask when people Business Development Manager say why should a girl become an working across the Africa, Middle ran a large flood management ple’s quality of life. It allows you to engineer is ‘Why not?’ A lot of East & Eurasia region. strategy for a major catchment in be practical, creative and innova- engineering is about understanding “This involves managing bids and the South East of England.” tive.” a job and its impact on other work project managing the smaller ones The judges were particularly In her leisure time Suzanne is a and planning and co-ordinating once we’ve won them,” said impressed by Suzanne’s efforts in keen ballroom and latin dancer and with other teams. A woman’s tradi- Suzanne. “I’m also responsible for promoting engineering to other enjoys spending time with friends, tional role in the family is organis- the commercial management of all women. often walking in the Surrey Hills. ing the family schedule, budgeting our projects in Kazakhstan. It’s Upon receiving the award at the and planning – does this not involved some travel and I spent IEE on November 17, Suzanne said: demonstrate that we naturally have about a quarter of 2004 in “When I was first told that I had The Karen Burt Award is the skills?” Kazakhstan – quite an experience.” won this award I was surprised to funded by a bequest made In her free time Claire is the Suzanne went to university to receive it for something I do every by Karen’s father, Assistant County Commissioner - study geochemistry, in which there day. To me it is important to see Professor Cyril Hilsum. The International for Cumbria Scouts is a family background. Her degree other people coming through and annual award is made by and is on the European and World and MSc studies led her into the enjoying their careers. WES to a woman engineer Scout Jamboree Programme Team. more practical, applied side. “For me, this award signifies of high calibre who has She is also a Science and “I began my career as an engi- recognition of my efforts and newly attained full corpo - Engineering Ambassador and neering geologist working on vari- achievements both in my personal rate membership and recently helped run activities at a ous slope stability related projects career development and in promot- Chartered Engineer status Girls in Engineering Workshop for around London,” said Suzanne. “I ing engineering – a real ‘feather in through her relevant pro - Year 9 girls from the local second- spent some time on site on the my cap’.” fessional Institution and ary schools. A13; after that I was seconded to The message that she puts across who has contributed to “I used to be involved in Young the UK Environment Agency to to young girls is that: “Engineering the promotion of the engi - Engineers – but since taking on manage capital projects for 14 is rewarding and it’s satisfying to neering profession. greater responsibilities in scouting I months. Upon returning to KBR I make a tangible difference to peo-