This is an exciting new programme that has the real potential to benefit the young people taking part, and everyone working with them. Engineering is a profession that is open to everyone, and through this project we have to break down some of the barriers which people may currently feel intimidated by. By letting them see what a career in engineering can offer, we hope to boost their self-esteem academic work now, and enhancing their opportunities for the future.
Dr Asiya Khan
Associate Dean for Education and Student Experience
In previous workshops, we have seen participants grow in confidence and competence as they learn new skills. That is something we hope to build on with this new project. By involving our current students and training them as mentors – this gives them the opportunity to develop their self-esteem and confidence. We observe them growing their communication and leadership abilities, working with, and managing teams as they move towards graduation. They will also develop an understanding of learning and inclusion to gain an appreciation of their civic duty as future professional engineers who promote social justice and equity at work.
Dr Suanne Gibson
Associate Professor in Education
I find it impossible to overstate how vital it is that we find new and better ways to tackle the long-standing inequality of experience and outcomes for engineering students and graduates from underrepresented groups. I am encouraged to see how the Diversity Impact Programme is unlocking such ingenuity on the part of staff and students as they collaborate to tackle this problem together. Emerging findings from the projects we have supported to date are already providing important insights into how universities can cultivate more inclusive cultures at a critical stage for aspiring engineers.
Head of Diversity and Inclusion at the Royal Academy of Engineering
Babbage Building: where engineering meets design
The £63 million Babbage Building creates a state-of-the-art space to inspire the engineering and design pioneers of the future