Celebrating Women in Engineering: Reflections on the WREN 2025 Event

On International Women in Engineering Day 2025, I had the privilege of joining the Women in Research and Engineering Network (WREN) to celebrate and reflect on this year’s theme: “Together We Engineer – Building Better Careers and Workplaces.”

It was a theme that felt particularly timely. Across industries, conversations about equity, representation, and inclusivity are intensifying—and engineering, with its history of being male-dominated, sits at the very heart of this challenge.

A Panel that Spoke from Experience

The event brought together an inspiring and diverse group of voices: Prof. Tim McCarthy, Maysa Safadi, Nathan McBriarty, and Emily Yap, with the conversation guided by the thoughtful moderation of Rin Gomura.

What made the discussion so powerful wasn’t just the expertise of the panellists—it was the honesty with which they shared their stories. Each spoke candidly about their experiences navigating workplaces where women, and often those from diverse backgrounds, still find themselves needing to “prove” their capability more than others.

These weren’t abstract ideas. They were lived realities. And in hearing them, the importance of representation became crystal clear.

Why Diversity Matters in Engineering

A theme that ran throughout the conversation was the undeniable value of diversity. Not as a “nice-to-have” or a corporate checkbox, but as a core driver of innovation and resilience.

Engineering thrives on collaboration and creativity. Diverse teams—of gender, background, thought, and experience—are better equipped to tackle complex problems and deliver solutions that serve more people, more effectively. Simply put, diversity helps us build better.

Shaping Inclusive Workplaces

The panel also explored what it takes to move from good intentions to real change. From mentorship programs to equitable hiring practices, there’s no shortage of strategies being trialled in workplaces. But the message was clear: inclusion requires more than initiatives—it requires commitment.

It means leaders stepping up, not just as allies, but as co-creators of inclusive cultures. It means valuing different perspectives, listening actively, and sometimes being willing to sit in discomfort in order to do better.

And importantly, it means remembering that inclusion is not a “women’s issue.” It is a human issue. A workplace where everyone can bring their whole selves, contribute fully, and feel respected benefits us all.

Walking Away Inspired

I left the WREN event both inspired and energised. The challenges we face are significant, but so is the momentum. By coming together, sharing our stories, and holding ourselves accountable, we move closer to workplaces where everyone—regardless of gender or background—has the opportunity to thrive.

As engineers, researchers, and leaders, we are not just designing technologies, structures, or systems. We are designing the cultures and futures that will shape how people live and work. And if we embed inclusivity and diversity into that design, we all win. This International Women in Engineering Day, let’s remember: together, we engineer—not just better workplaces, but better futures