Women's Engineering Society

Women's Engineering Society. The Women's Engineering Society is a professional network and educational charity founded in the United Kingdom in 1919. It was established to support women in engineering and technical fields following their contributions during the First World War. The society campaigns for gender equality in the STEM fields and provides a platform for networking, mentorship, and career development.

● History

The society was founded on 23 June 1919 by a group of pioneering women, including Dame Caroline Haslett and Rachel Parsons, daughter of Sir Charles Parsons. Its creation was a direct response to the Representation of the People Act 1918 and the Sex Disqualification (Removal) Act 1919, which removed some barriers to women's employment. A key early challenge was the restoration of the Pre-War Practices Act, which forced many women out of engineering roles they had occupied during the First World War. Early activities included publishing The Woman Engineer journal and establishing local branches. The society played a crucial role in founding the Electrical Association for Women in 1924. Throughout the 20th century, it advocated for women's inclusion in professional bodies like the Institution of Mechanical Engineers and the Royal Aeronautical Society.

● Objectives

The primary objective is to promote the education, study, and practice of engineering among women. It aims to support women engineers in achieving their potential at all career stages, from students to senior professionals. A core goal is to influence policy and public opinion to advance gender diversity within the engineering profession across the United Kingdom. The society also works to inspire the next generation of girls through outreach in schools and participation in events like International Women in Engineering Day. It seeks to provide a supportive community and authoritative voice on issues affecting women in STEM careers.

● Activities

The society organizes a wide range of activities, including national and regional networking events, technical lectures, and professional development workshops. It runs mentorship programs connecting experienced members with those early in their careers. A significant activity is its public policy advocacy, providing evidence to parliamentary inquiries such as those by the House of Commons Science and Technology Committee. The society publishes the peer-reviewed journal The Woman Engineer and a membership magazine. It also coordinates the annual International Women in Engineering Day campaign on 23 June, a global awareness campaign. Local groups, known as clusters, hold regular meetings across the UK, from Glasgow to Cornwall.

● Notable_members

Founding members included Dame Caroline Haslett, the first secretary and a renowned electrical engineer, and Verena Holmes, the first woman elected to the Institution of Mechanical Engineers. Other notable early members were Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell, discoverer of pulsars, and Beatrice Shilling, who invented the RAE restrictor for Spitfire engines during the Second World War. Later influential members include Dame Judith Hackitt, former Chair of the Health and Safety Executive, and Roma Agrawal, structural engineer on projects like The Shard in London. Many members have been recognized with honors such as the Order of the British Empire and fellowships of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

● International_affiliations

The society maintains formal links with similar organizations worldwide to share best practices and support women engineers globally. It is a founding member of the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists, established in 1964. The society has a strong relationship with the Society of Women Engineers in the United States and collaborates on transatlantic initiatives. It is also affiliated with Women in Engineering ProActive Network and the European Platform of Women Scientists. These connections facilitate joint conferences, research projects, and advocacy efforts within international bodies like UNESCO and the International Labour Organization.

● Awards_and_prizes

The society administers several prestigious awards to recognize achievement and encourage participation in engineering. The top honor is the Amy Johnson Award, named for the pioneering aviator, for contributions to aerospace. The Dame Caroline Haslett Memorial Trust provides scholarships for postgraduate study. The WES Prize is awarded for the best paper published in The Woman Engineer journal. For students, the WES Student Conference Awards support attendance at major events like those held by the Institution of Engineering and Technology. The society also presents the Men as Allies Award to recognize individuals who actively support gender diversity in the profession.

Category:Engineering organizations Category:Women's organizations in the United Kingdom Category:Organizations established in 1919