Engineering a Future of Possibilities: Reflections for INWED 2025

Despite progress, women remain underrepresented in engineering; only 18% of university engineering students are women, and the proportion is even lower in the UK engineering workforce. This gap starts early, with low uptake of STEM subjects by girls. To mark this year's International Women in Engineering Day, we hosted an Engineers Speed Mentoring for Girls event connecting secondary school girls with inspiring early-career women engineers. In this blog, QEPrize Ambassador Aakeen Parikh reflects on the event and what INWED means to her.

The world can feel both unpredictable and stuck, shaped by past actions yet resistant to change; how we interpret that tension often comes down to perspective. I believe we could answer whether the world is changing or staying the same with a counter question – do you see the glass as half full or half empty?

Taking a moment to appreciate how far we've come: just 100 years ago, in my grandmother’s generation, the idea of a woman pursuing a career in engineering would have seemed shocking and nearly impossible, with countless barriers in the way. Though my grandmother is a strong woman, her strength was no match for the society she was a part of at the time, a society with strong gender roles and biases.

That said, there was already so much positive change happening at the time. Education was more accessible. Women engineers were becoming visible. Impossibilities were turning into possibilities. The more the fabric of society was reforming, both within the field of engineering and as well as outside it, the more opportunities the world was presenting.

But change is not overnight – there still remains the remnants of societal perceptions, stereotypes and imbalances, which reflect in the choices and opportunities available to us. Take engineering, for instance: while the phrase "engineering is only for boys" may be fading, the imbalance persists. Just six years ago, during my engineering placement, I was the only woman on my team. Despite growing visibility and progress, I still felt the weight of internalised messages from childhood whispering, “you’re not supposed to be here.”

This voice isn’t mine, nor is it true - it’s the system’s resistance, disguised as a limiting belief. I may be an engineer today, but my confidence has often wavered, shaped by repeated battles with imposter syndrome. If there was one thing that drives me to participate in International Women in Engineering Day, it is this: To create future women engineers that will never experience imposter syndrome. This is also one of the core reasons for why I joined QEPrize Ambassador Network and why I love doing what I do here. By being a visible engineer, I can hopefully be a part of the change showing that engineering is not just for boys, but for everyone.

I recently participated in the QEPrize Engineers Speed Mentoring event at the Science Museum. When I walked into the Engineers gallery, and I saw the students, I remembered the days that I was at school – nervous and excited, but unaware about the future. I remember being at an impressionable age – I had very few relatable role models in engineering careers when I was growing up, let alone a room full of women engineers. What I loved the most was talking to the students about their futures and answering their questions, talking about interesting things, such as what is a typical day like for an engineer. Then, we walked around different exhibits and looked at various inventions, further sparking curiosity. All the conversations I had with the students were so productive and inspiring...

But the most important aspect of the day for me was the space for visibility, which makes events like these more than just an outreach activity. By increasing visibility and paving the way, we are driving fundamental shifts for our society to go further – to create an equal world, of equal opportunities, designed to fulfil the needs of all people, regardless of their race, gender or socioeconomic background.

I hope to play my part and help shift the narrative away from the current subconscious, stereotypical view of engineers – to help create a sense of belonging. I imagine a world where if a small child at school daydreams about who she will become one day – she knows that can enter the world of engineering feeling invincible, feeling secure, feeling appreciated and knowing that her voice is respected. A world without invisible fabrics to rip or glass ceilings to shatter. I am hopeful that this change is possible – and maybe that’s because, I like to see the world as if the glass is half full.