Inclusive engineering event encouraged LGBT engineers to 'speak up'

InterEngineering’s Inclusive Engineering: The Way Ahead event focused on ways to empower LGBT engineers in the workplace and raise awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion.

InterEngineering’s first inter-institute event, called  “Inclusive Engineering: The Way Ahead”, was co-sponsored by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE).

Hosted by ICE at its London headquarters, the focus of the event was a discussion about the importance of diversity and inclusion in engineering.

The panel underlined how important it was for  lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) engineers to “get involved”, “speak up” and “ask questions”, and said a “passive workforce” was one of the biggest barriers to inclusion.

Speakers encouraged LGBT engineers to realise they can be “role models” and agents for change in their organisation. They were encouraged to “be positive and remain positive”. 

Watch the event video

The panel included:

• Dr Mark McBride-Wright, Diversity & Inclusion Working Group IChemE, Chair of InterEngineering
• Peter Gracey, Commander Royal Navy Reserve, Secretary of InterEngineering
• David Johnson, Chief Executive, Social Mobility Foundation
• Melanie Jackson, Business Analyst & Co-Lead LGBT Network, National Grid
• Anne Jenkins, Head of Diversity & Inclusion, BAE Systems

The discussion was separated into the following blocks:

• Diversity & Inclusion in the workplace
• Impact of Diversity & Inclusion on social mobility and the importance of it to the upcoming generation
• What are the roles of individuals, companies and institutes?  

What is InterEngineering?

InterEngineering is a professional network that aims to connect, inform and empower lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender engineers and their straight allies.

InterEngineering’s vision is to provide a welcoming, supportive, safe and confidential space for all LGBT people within engineering to meet, share and discuss views, experiences and concerns. The network also runs events to help LGBT engineers promote and support diversity in their workplaces.

Visit the InterEngineering website to find out more.