Dyson School of Design Engineering marks International Women's Day with insights from women in STEM.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, it's essential to amplify the voices and experiences of women in the Dyson School of Design Engineering at Imperial College London. We asked women in Design Engineering a series of set questions, and through their diverse perspectives and experiences, these women offer their valuable insight into the experiences, challenges, and aspirations in STEM fields. 

Ingrid Logan - Technical Services and Safety Manager 

Q: What does International women’s day mean to you? 

For Ingrid Logan, International Women’s Day represents a celebration of women's achievements and a reminder of the ongoing journey towards gender equality.

"International Women’s Day for me is the celebration of women who’ve paved the way for others like me, the efforts made to change cultures, and remembering the challenges we face and have overcome to enable women to do what we do today!” 

She also stresses the importance of recognising the contributions of both past and present generations: “I think it’s also important to remember not just those who’ve been before us but also what younger generations are doing, what they're achieving is also inspiring and encouraging for women of all ages and ethnicities." 

Q: Can you share some influential figures or mentors who have inspired you in your career and/or your personal life? 

Finding inspiration from various influential sources, Ingrid Logan reflects on her experiences in the Herschel Programme and the supportive network of women in engineering. "Completing the Herschel Programme in 2022 I think helped build my confidence and how I saw myself. Having the opportunity to meet other women who were doing cool jobs across engineering, and we all had similar experiences, it was great to share these and connect through our stories." 

Q: What unique challenges or opportunities do you believe women face in the field of design engineering, and how can we work towards creating a more inclusive environment for women in our department at Imperial College London? 

"To create a more inclusive environment for women within this field we need to work together to create that change, breaking the stereotypes and removing bias associated with engineering.” Ingrid Logan Technical Services and Health and Safety Manager

Addressing the pervasive challenges of gender bias and stereotypes in design engineering, Ingrid talks about the importance of fostering inclusivity through education, advocacy, and representation, "There's a feeling that you must work that much harder to prove yourself and your ability," she observes. "There is still gender bias and stereotypes (unconscious or conscious)."

Regarding implementation, Ingrid suggests, "This could be done through more education around the topic and supporting women to pursue a career in an engineering field. Some environments can be intimidating have lack of representation. But, as individuals, if we can be approachable, patient and kind, I think this can help create a more inclusive environment."

Q: What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Imperial? 

Ingrid takes pride in her role as Technical Services and Safety Manager, highlighting the significance of representation and recognition for women in technical roles.

"I have a couple of achievements I’m proud of, one being appointed to Technical Services & Safety Manager for Design Engineering, and most recently being awarded Imperial Medal. I’m proud of this as it recognises the contribution technical services has at Imperial and, it’s a privilege to be amongst the many other women who have received this award for their work." 

Q: If you could offer one piece of advice to fellow women at our department at Imperial College London, what would it be and why? 

Offering guidance to her fellow women at Imperial College London, Ingrid advocates for authenticity and self-empowerment. "If there was one piece of advice, I think it would be being yourself, specifically not limiting yourself to fit into others’ expectations of who they think you should be."

Ingrid encourages women to embrace their unique strengths and aspirations, fostering a supportive environment for personal and professional growth. 

Elyse Marshall - Research Assistant, Design Engineering

Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

Reflecting on the significance of International Women’s Day, Elyse emphasises its role in honouring the journeys of women. 

"To me, International Women’s Day is about taking time to reflect on the journeys of the women in our lives," she shares. "I think it’s a great opportunity to think about how we can support other women in the areas that they may be battling, be inspired by and compliment their success, and recognise the positive impact we, as women (especially in STEM and at Imperial), can have." 

Q: Can you share some influential figures or mentors who have inspired you in your career and/or your personal life? 

Drawing inspiration from her sister, Elyse reflects on the significance of empathy and kindness in professional growth. 

"My sister is an influential figure and mentor to me," she shares. "She worked her way to become a specialist midwife in a band 7 role at only 25, and she has found great success in using her emotional intelligence and caring nature in not only her career but also in her general life. Despite people often exploiting her kindness and knocking her confidence, she refuses to stop being kind, sensitive, and empathetic. This is inspiring to me as we can often think of sensitivity as a weakness and feel like we have to act powerful and strong, but it is actually such a great quality to have and can massively enhance your career." 
 

Q: What unique challenges or opportunities do you believe women face in the field of design engineering, and how can we work towards creating a more inclusive environment for women in our department at Imperial College London? 

"Working in engineering, I feel like the main challenges I have struggled with have come from the fear of being judged whenever I make a mistake or do not know what I’m doing. I think as women, we see the confidence from men in their actions and can sometimes presume that they know better and are expecting us to fail because we are women." 

"The best thing I learnt was to not be ashamed of my work and my process, trying new things and not feeling as though I had to explain myself or that I was doing things wrong Elyse Marshall Research Assistant

She underscores the importance of confidence and resilience in navigating the obstacles faced by women in the field of engineering, "I think in Imperial we can work to be more honest with each other, take away the pride factor that is holding us back and remind each other that we don’t have to be perfect or outstanding to be recognised as engineers." 

Q: What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Imperial? 

Elyse takes pride in earning the trust and recognition of her supervisor as a research assistant, highlighting the importance of mentorship and support in her career journey. "I am so proud to be trusted with the planning for the project, the leadership of others, the technical development of ideas, and the writing of grants etc., as it not only pushes me to develop in my career but assures me that I am good at my job." 

Elyse's testimonial highlights the determination of women in pursuing their interests and overcoming challenges in STEM. 

Larissa Kunstel-Tabet, Teaching Fellow

Q: What does International Women’s Day mean to you? 

Larissa acknowledges the significance of International Women's Day, noting its importance in addressing gender inequality. She highlights the need for ongoing celebration and empowerment of women beyond just one day, advocating for continuous support and recognition of women's contributions in all aspects of society. "Acknowledging the contributions of women, whether in leadership roles or everyday life, is paramount. "

Q: Can you share some influential figures or mentors who have inspired you in your career and/or your personal life? 

Reflecting on influential figures and mentors, Larissa shares insights into those who have profoundly impacted her professional and personal life: 

"Firstly, my mother stands out as my greatest champion," she begins. "She taught me the importance of being a strong woman, always standing by your convictions, and staying true to your word. I strive to follow her example every day." 

Turning to Professor Dale Russell, Larissa expresses gratitude for her mentorship: "Professor Russell has been an invaluable guide in the realm of design engineering and design thinking. Her pioneering work has inspired countless individuals, including myself. With her infectious energy and boundless creativity, she has shown me the power of thinking outside the box and pushing boundaries." 

Mary Matthews has recently become an inspiration to me. Her leadership style, characterised by grace and intentionality, has left a profound impact on me Larissa Kunstel-Tabet Teaching Fellow

Lastly, Larissa reflects on Mary Matthews from the UNDP, acknowledging her recent influence: "She serves as a beacon of what it means to lead with grace and intentionality, and I aspire to embody these qualities in my own professional journey."

Q: What unique challenges or opportunities do you believe women face in the field of design engineering, and how can we work towards creating a more inclusive environment for women in our department at Imperial College London? 

Larissa emphasises the importance of projecting strength in various contexts,"Both a challenge and an opportunity lie in presenting ourselves from a position of strength, as underscored by the campaign theme for International Women's Day 2024, which aims to inspire inclusion". This theme, she believes, extends beyond the confines of the department to the broader university context. 

Discussing strategies for fostering inclusivity, Larissa stresses the significance of empowering girls early, "It's crucial to empower girls from a young age to pursue their interests freely, regardless of traditional gender norms." 

"Lastly, it's imperative to ensure that the expectations placed on women are equitable to those of their male counterparts across various sectors. There is still much progress to be made in eliminating gender biases and creating an environment where all individuals, regardless of gender, have equal opportunities for success." - Larissa 

In conclusion, Larissa underscores the collective effort needed to inspire inclusion and drive progress toward gender equality. "By addressing these challenges and embracing the opportunity to inspire inclusion, we can create a more equitable and supportive environment for women in STEM fields and academia, driving progress towards genuine gender equality." 

Q: What is your proudest achievement whilst working at Imperial? 

“As I step back into the world of the Global Innovation Design course, I can't help but feel immensely proud of its growth and development over the past decade. Having been involved in its inception, witnessing its evolution has been truly gratifying. The calibre of students and their deep engagement in the field has been extraordinary. They consistently achieve remarkable things, creating successful startups, winning awards, and developing and working on innovations with genuine impact and value.” 

Similarly, Larissa finds a profound sense of accomplishment in her work establishing the Imperial College Advanced Hackspace. "Reflecting on my work setting up the Imperial College Advanced Hackspace fills me with a profound sense of accomplishment," she shares. "Seeing how it has become an integral part of the Imperial infrastructure, providing access to making and lab facilities to Imperial members independent of their field, is truly rewarding." 

Being part of shaping both initiatives holds a special place for Larissa. "Having been part of shaping both the Global Innovation Design course and the Imperial College Advanced Hackspace has been an honour," she concludes. "They not only enable students to thrive but also contribute to Imperial’s overall impact and success." 

Q: If you could offer one piece of advice to fellow women at our department at Imperial College London, what would it be and why? 

When offering advice to fellow women at our department at Imperial College London, Larissa emphasises the principle of women's empowerment. "I firmly believe in the principle that empowered women empower women," she asserts. However, she also recognises that empowerment is not solely the responsibility of women themselves; it involves the support and encouragement of other members of staff, students, and peers. "We are part of a community," she emphasises.

"Everyone plays a crucial role in uplifting and empowering one another. When we come together as equals at the table, both individually and collectively, we have the potential to achieve remarkable things. By ensuring that women and individuals from all backgrounds have a seat at the table, our department can unlock even greater potential and achieve extraordinary outcomes. "

Through their candid reflections and inspirational journeys, Ingrid Logan, Elyse Marshall, and Larissa Kunstel-Tabet exemplify the resilience and determination of women in STEM fields. Together, let us continue to champion diversity, inclusion, and empowerment. Happy International Women's Day!