The University of Warwick has won the bid to plan, organise and host the 18th International Conference of Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES18) for 2020. Previously held at Warwick (ICWES9) in 1991, ICWES18 returns at Warwick on 11-14 September 2020.

Held every three years, ICWES is the world’s largest symposium for women scientists and engineers and will attract over 500 international delegates from businesses, organisations and universities to the Warwick campus and local region.

The conference follows a successful bid submission between the School of Engineering and Warwick Conferences, led by Professor Georgia Kremmyda. Georgia is Elected Board Director of the International Network of Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES) and Chair of the Conference.

Under the theme of ‘Global Humanitarian Challenges’, the conference at Warwick will bring together participants – academics, professionals, practitioners and students – to discuss topics such as disasters resilience, renewable energy technologies, water and environmental sustainability, smart cities, resilient infrastructures, engineering and global health, and education and training in tackling societal challenges.

Commenting on ICWES18, Professor Georgia Kremmyda from the School of Engineering at the University of Warwick and Chair of the 2020 conference comments:

By hosting this fascinating event, apart from connecting women worldwide in STEM, we hope to encourage more females to pursue a career in Engineering and Sciences and to offer an insight into the excitement and opportunities available! By supporting INWES in its campaign for gender diversity in Engineering and Sciences, we feel that we help building and sustaining the pipeline of female talent in disciplines which transform societies.”

Gail Mattson, INWES President, adds:

The International Network for Women Engineers and Scientists (INWES) is very excited about The University of Warwick hosting the 18th International Conference for Women Engineers and Scientists (ICWES18)."

"Ever since the Women Engineering Society of the UK hosted ICWES9 in Warwick in 1991, women engineers and scientists from around the world have been looking for opportunity to return to this historic setting."

“Since 2008, when INWES became an official NGO partner of UNESCO, our organization has been recognized and promoted “as a solution to tackle the issue of gender imbalances in STEM”. Our members, representing over 65 countries, will be encouraged to attend to share their challenges and best practices with regards to encouraging girls to pursue STEM careers and a broad range of professional development opportunities for women to succeed and advance into important leadership positions; as well as to expand their networks worldwide."

“ICWES18 will enable us to make critical strides towards our mission - To build a better future worldwide through full and effective participation of women and girls in all aspects of STEM.”

For more information about ICWES 18, visit https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/eng/icwes18/