Illustration of Mechanical Engineering-related jobs

"To champion, advance and advocate for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) for all staff and students.

To work in an evidence-based and transparent manner, where we hold ourselves and others accountable, to encourage a growth in mindset around EDI."

Increasing the female representation within Mechanical Engineering

Female representation within Swansea University’s (SU) Mechanical Engineering (ME) cohort is only ~8.5%. This ambitious project was awarded through The Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity Impact Programme, which strives to address the low female representation within the field of Mechanical Engineering via evidence-based, beneficiary defined interventions. The delivered strategy will signpost transformational reform within the ME community and serves as a “Springboard” to achieve “50% for the Future” female representation, not only studying ME at SU, but within the profession.

Illustration of the strategy

Strategy Development

The scoping work for “50% for the Future” was initiated in September 2021. To capture the true voice of the beneficiaries, a working group (WG) was established that comprised a diverse representation of our Mechanical Engineering student cohort, academics, industry and IMechE. In addition to the clear aim of increasing female student numbers in the department, three problem areas were identified by the WG as needing to be addressed to both help to achieve this long-term aim, as well as to provide more immediate positive impact for the beneficiaries.

Meet the Team

Lydia Webber

Project Officer

Profile outline

Dr Jennifer Thompson

PI

Dr Jennifer Thompson

Katie Hebborn

Inclusivity and Staff Development Officer

Katie Hebborn

Rhiannon Kingsley

Outreach and Recruitment Officer

Rhiannon Kingsley

Chloe Morgan

Research Assistant

Chloe Morgan

Our Partners

Dr Andrew Rees

Dr Andrew Rees
Dr Andrew Rees (Loughborough University)
External Collaborator, previous Principal Investigator
 
Cornell logo

Cornell University (Academia)
The Engineering School is one of the first to have achieved gender balance at undergraduate level.

MBDA Systems logo

MBDA Missile Systems (Industry)
An exemplar organisation for best practice to achieve gender balance.

IMechE logo

IMechE (External Institution)
IMechE oversee quality in practice within the profession and will ensure the strategy will have sustainable impact.

Primary school children

Local Schools (Community)
Outreach activities will take place with local schools to assess effective interventions.