Equality and Diversity News & Events

We were delighted to announce recently that the School of Engineering has been awarded the prestigious Athena Swan Gold Award, the highest honour for exceptional and sustained commitment to gender equality in higher education and research. (email 04/06 08:29)

The award, which is valid for five years, recognises the School’s long-term strategic efforts to embed inclusive practices, support underrepresented groups, and build a diverse, equitable academic environment.

This milestone makes the School of Engineering one of only two departments at the University of Warwick to hold the Gold Award, alongside Warwick Business School (WBS). It is one of a handful of Engineering departments in the UK to hold Gold.

Thank you to everyone, staff and students alike, who has supported the School of Engineering on this journey to Gold over the past decade!

Press Release

The School proudly hosted a special event on Wednesday 18th June to celebrate International Women in Engineering Day (INWED2025).

Held under this year’s global theme, ‘Together We Engineer’, the event brought together students, staff, and industry professionals to reflect on collaboration, inclusion, and allyship within the engineering sector.

A highlight of the morning was the Student Voice Panel, chaired by Dr Bisola Mutingwende,

Assistant Professor in Electromechanical Degree Apprenticeships. Student panellists Sharayu Sonavane, Araf Saad, and Melisha Barboza shared their personal journeys, research experiences, and reflections on how the principle of engineering together shapes both education and future professional landscapes.

This was followed by a presentation before moving into the Staff Panel Discussion: ‘Together We Engineer in the Workplace’, chaired by Professor Joanna Collingwood, Associate Head of School (People).

The panel featured distinguished members of the Warwick engineering community including Professor Wanda Lewis, Professor David Towers, Dr Freeha Azmat, and Dr Mathias Foo.

Together, they explored themes of collaboration, allyship, and leadership within academic and industrial engineering environments.

A lively Q&A session invited attendees to join the conversation before closing remarks wrapped up what had been a very inspiring event.

Speaking about the event, Dr Modupe Jimoh said:

"International Women in Engineering Day gives us a valuable opportunity to pause, celebrate the contributions of women in the field, and to collectively reflect on how we can engineer a more inclusive and collaborative profession for everyone."

The School of Engineering’s INWED2025 event reaffirmed Warwick’s dedication to cultivating an environment where diversity is valued and where engineering together - across roles, disciplines, and experiences - is at the heart of innovation.

Africa’s breakthrough over the next 25 years will come through unleashing the exceptional ability of gifted young women scientists and technologists from across the continent. This bold vision motivated Tom Ilube to create a unique institution, the Ghana-based African Science Academy (ASA), the only school in the world designed specifically for academically gifted young women to study STEM subjects in half the time that any other school does and still achieve brilliant results.

Unlocking Potential and Embracing Excellence: Advancing Progress of Girls and Women in STEM education- A Preeminent Condition for Transformative and Sustainable Development in Africa, 14:00-15:30, a panel discussion.

Modupe Jimoh, from the School, participated as a panel member at this event at the University of Warwick, Oculus 0.03.