Engineering academy recognised for excellence in Diversity & Inclusion

Posted on 4 Dec 2017 by Jonny Williamson

The Royal Academy of Engineering was awarded the ‘Best Diversity Resource Award’ for its ‘What’s it like?’ series of online videos profiling lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) engineers.

The Academy brings together the UK’s leading engineers, from across all engineering sectors – image courtesy of the Royal Academy of Engineering.

The award, which was co-awarded to ‘InterEngineering’ and Mott MacDonald alongside the Academy, recognises an organisation that has shown outstanding dedication to supplying diversity related resources.

The ‘What’s it like?’ series was launched in February 2017 as part of LGBT History Month and is designed to inspire prospective engineers who are LGBT, as well as existing engineers who may wish to come out or transition at work.

It features 20 successful LGBT role models working in a wide variety of engineering settings, from design studios to the British Army.

Dr Hayaatun Sillem, designated CEO and Diversity & Inclusion Champion for the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “The Academy is committed to developing an engineering profession that is truly inclusive and diverse, and raising the visibility of LGBT+ role models is a crucial step to achieving this goal.

“Experience of leading our programme to increase diversity and inclusion across engineering tells us that role models have a pivotal role to play in encouraging people to join and stay in the profession.

“We are delighted to have been awarded the Best Diversity Resource Award alongside InterEngineering and Mott MacDonald and I would like to offer my congratulations to everyone involved in creating the ‘What’s it like?’ series.”

At the Excellence in Diversity Awards Dinner, the Academy was also announced as one of the top 50 inclusive employers in the UK, at 41st most inclusive company in the UK, a ranking that reflects the Academy’s focus on its own inclusivity efforts.

The Academy runs a Diversity and Inclusion Programme aiming to increase diversity and inclusion within the engineering profession, while also working to apply best practice to its own culture, to ensure that it remains at the forefront of what it means to be diverse and inclusive.

Compiled by a dedicated panel of judges, the ‘Inclusive Top 50 UK Employers 2017’ list is collated based on each organisation’s performance, including recruitment procedures, training and a host of diversity related initiatives.