ASHRAE UK DEI committee organised the “Women in Science and Technology” event on 14th March. Women in engineering came together for an enlightening day of presentations and discussions at Loughborough University. The event featured several prominent female engineers who shared their insights and experiences with attendees.
Ruth King, a successful entrepreneur, kicked off the event with a presentation titled “Be Mentally Tough.” King emphasized the importance of resilience and the courage to be profitable in the face of mistakes and setbacks.
ASHRAE Distinguished Lecturer Karine Leblanc followed with a thought-provoking presentation titled “How to be a Human in a Technical World.” Leblanc explored the challenges of maintaining emotional intelligence (EQ) while working in a technical field, noting the importance of striking a balance between IQ and EQ.
Laura Bishop, Chair of Ground Source Heat Pump association, presented on “Managing Your Workload.” Bishop offered practical tips for managing a heavy workload in a fast-moving industry, while still maintaining a healthy work-life balance.
The final presentation of the day was given by Bayan, a PhD student and mother. Bayan’s presentation, titled “The Journey of a PhD Mum,” was particularly inspiring for attendees as she shared her experiences and offered advice for balancing academic pursuits and motherhood.
The event concluded with a panel discussion featuring all of the presenters. The discussion focused on the challenges women face in both their personal and professional lives and offered insights on how to overcome these challenges.
Overall, the event was a great success and attendees left with a renewed sense of inspiration and motivation. We would like to extend our thanks to all of the presenters and attendees who made the event such a memorable and valuable experience.