Electronic Specifier’s Mick Elliott caught up with Engineer and SheCanEngineer volunteer Laura Green to hear about the charity’s achievements and some of its future initiatives at Engineering Design Show 2025.
SheCanEngineer is a charity working to close the gender gap in engineering industries by showcasing the accomplishments of female engineers, raising awareness around issues relating to diversity, equity & inclusion (DE&I), and promoting engineering to children.
Green explained that the origin of SheCanEngineer can be traced back to 2015 when several representatives from professional engineering institutions united to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day. Recognising the power of collaboration, the group began to organise events together and, seeing the potential for a larger impact, decided to formalise their efforts by registering as a charity in 2022. Their mission centres on supporting all points of the talent pipeline, from inspiring school-age children to enter engineering, through recruitment, and onto the retention of female talent within the workplace.
STEM outreach – projects and networking
Each year, the charity runs at least one significant event where local schools, usually based in London, are invited to participate in a day packed with hands-on workshops and activities. These workshops, Green explained, can be something like designing a stadium, allowing students to gain insight into the various roles and disciplines found within engineering – from project management to environmental or electrical engineering.
They also run interactive activities, like speed networking, which allows students to engage directly with engineers from diverse backgrounds, that in turn broadens their understanding of the field’s scope and possibilities. Typically these types of outreach initiatives focus on students in years eight or nine. The aim is to clearly communicate the breadth and depth of opportunities in engineering, dispelling misconceptions, and presenting engineering as a creative, inclusive, and rewarding career.
Creative thinking and role models
Creativity is emphasised as a vital aspect of engineering, with Green highlighting the need for innovative and lateral thinking alongside technical skills. She notes that fields such as design engineering fuse artistic vision and technical ability together, offering participants a chance to take pride in their creative accomplishments.
SheCanEngineer also focuses on providing positive role models. Permanent exhibitions at the British Science Museum in London and the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester celebrate influential engineers from both past and present, demonstrating the diversity and impact of professionals in the field.
Since receiving official charity status in 2022, SheCanEngineer has measured its success through feedback gathered from participating students. Using pre- and post-event surveys, the charity has found that many students shift their attitude toward engineering as a viable career, even if not all ultimately choose it. The underlying philosophy is that everyone should have the opportunity to make an informed choice about pursuing engineering.
Looking ahead
SheCanEngineer is run by a volunteer committee of around 30 individuals – who balance these activities alongside full-time jobs – and its work includes public speaking, podcasts, and assisting other organisations with their EDI initiatives. Looking ahead, SheCanEngineer hopes to further expand its reach and range of activities but acknowledges that growth depends on available resources and support.
Interested parties are encouraged to learn more and follow updates via the charity’s website (she-can-engineer.com) and LinkedIn page, supporting SheCanEngineer’s mission to create a more equitable and vibrant engineering community.
Watch more from the show here.
