Join us and celebrate International Women in Engineering Day 

Friday 21 June 2024

Join us on Friday 21 June, 0830-1030, in the ScotEng office as we celebrate International Women in Engineering Day. This session will provide a networking opportunity for members of our industry and focus on how we can encourage more women into STEM, whilst helping those already in this incredible industry reach their full potential. Join us as we celebrate the amazing women of our sector.

The session will be hosted by our President, Bernie O’Neil, and attendees will hear from some of the amazing individuals working in our industry and striving to break down barriers. Come along and enjoy this excellent networking opportunity over breakfast.

We appreciate that childcare commitments could present a barrier for some of our members wishing to attend so we are delighted to confirm that should this be the case, children are welcome to join their parents on the day.

Our Host 

Bernie O’Neil – Scottish Engineering President and Operations Director at Glasgow site for Thales UK

We are delighted to confirm that our host for the event will be our President, Bernie O’Neil. Currently Operations Director at the Glasgow site for Thales UK, Bernie said: “It is important to celebrate INWED to ensure the talented women working in Engineering are recognised for their achievements. Women are still hugely under-represented, making up less than 20% of the Engineering population in the UK, INWED provides the opportunity to raise their profile. I also see INWED as an opportunity to attract more women to join the Engineering community and shape the future.”

Our Speakers 

Dr Michele Cano – Head of Division of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of The West of Scotland

Dr Michele Cano started her career as an apprentice Draughtsperson and was sponsored by British Shipbuilders through her undergraduate degree in Mechanical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde where she also completed an MSc in Computer Integrated Manufacturing. Moving into academia thirty years ago, she is now Head of the Division of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of the West of Scotland where she has oversight of a large portfolio of engineering disciplines including Mechanical, Aircraft, Chemical, Civil and Energy and Environmental Engineering. In her role, she is passionate about encouraging females to pursue careers in engineering and believes that International Women in Engineering Day plays a crucial role in facilitating this. The day highlights the vital role of engineering in society, emphasising how engineers contribute to solving global challenges, advancing technology, and showcases the contribution of women providing inspiration for others.

Susan Woodhouse – Process Safety Engineer at Mabbett 

Susan Woodhouse is a Process Safety Engineer at Mabbett, since joining the organisation in October 2023, she has worked on various process safety tasks, including fire consequence modelling, DSEAR and COMAH reporting, and supporting hazard identification and operability studies.

Susan said: “My fascination with understanding how things work began in childhood, igniting a passion for STEM subjects. During high school, I particularly enjoyed maths, chemistry, and physics, which led me to pursue a Master’s in Chemical Engineering at the University of Strathclyde, graduating in June 2022. A highlight of my academic journey was completing my Master’s thesis at the Universitat Politècnica de València in Spain, where I investigated ‘The Optimization of the Anodic Half-Cell in a Daniell Cell.’ Before joining Mabbett, I worked at an agricultural company in Grangemouth. Transitioning from university to industry posed challenges, including navigating a male-dominated environment, but it provided valuable learning experiences on a manufacturing site.

“I believe celebrating women in STEM is crucial for inspiring future generations and fostering innovation. When we celebrate women in STEM, we encourage the development of a diverse and dynamic field, promoting new ideas and perspectives”.

Register here