Women's Engineering Society Award success for IMechE members

Juliette Goddard CEng has won the 2025 Karen Burt Memorial Award, a national award recognising the UK’s best newly Chartered woman engineer.

This is the first time since 2011 that a newly elected female CEng from IMechE has won the award, marking a significant milestone for both the member and the Institution.

Shannon McGarth IEng was also recognised nationally, being shortlisted for the 2025 Newly Incorporated Engineer Award. The 2025 Women’s Engineering Society (WES) awards highlight the impact newly registered engineers can make early in their careers and underline the value of Chartered and Incorporated status.

About the Karen Burt Memorial Award

Launched in 1998, the Karen Burt Memorial Award is presented annually by WES. It recognises excellence, potential and professional impact among newly Chartered women engineers across:

• Engineering
• Applied science
• Information technology

The award also highlights the importance of Chartered status and recognises contributions to promoting the engineering profession.

The legacy of Dr Karen Burt

Dr Karen Burt was an eminent physicist and engineer. After completing a PhD in electron microscopy at the University of Reading, she worked at British Aerospace on scientific satellite projects, later founding her own consultancy.

She played a key role in establishing the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation Systems at University College London and is remembered as a gifted communicator. Her determination following a life changing stroke continues to inspire engineers across disciplines.

New WES awards for Incorporated Engineers

Following 25 years of celebrating newly Chartered engineers, WES has introduced new awards to recognise women across all levels of Engineering Council registration. The Newly Incorporated Engineer Award recognises:

• Excellence and potential in engineering practice
• The value of Incorporated Engineer status
• Contributions to promoting the engineering profession

Why recognition matters

Awards like these demonstrate how professional registration supports career development, visibility and leadership in engineering. They also show how early career engineers can influence the profession and inspire others.

Learn about professional registration with IMechE.