Network Rail highlights female engineers for Ada Lovelace Day
Two engineers share their career journeys as the IET reveals finalists for its Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards.
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Network Rail has recognised the career paths of two female engineers to coincide with Ada Lovelace Day. The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) also revealed the five finalists for its 2026 Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards.
Ada Lovelace Day, which falls on 13 October, is dedicated to celebrating the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Data from EngineeringUK indicates that women make up around 16.9% of Britain's engineering workforce. The day honours Ada Lovelace, a 19th-century mathematician recognised as the first computer programmer for her pioneering work in computer science.
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Diverse Routes into Engineering
To commemorate the occasion, Network Rail featured Emma Russell, an asset engineer within its Scotland buildings team, and Inge-Sarah Andersen, a senior asset engineer and STEM ambassador. Both engineers shared their experiences to illustrate different avenues into the engineering profession.
Emma Russell joined Network Rail in 2019 as a technical clerk. After nearly two decades in administrative, retail, and call centre roles, a senior engineer encouraged her to consider engineering during the Covid-19 lockdown. Despite lacking initial qualifications, she self-taught GCSE maths and completed an equivalent A-level maths course through Aberdeen University. Network Rail funded further qualifications and an HNC in civil engineering, enabling her progression to assistant asset engineer and then asset engineer. Russell, a single mother, noted that Network Rail's flexible working arrangements were instrumental in allowing her to manage childcare, studies, and career advancement. She commented that engineering is often misunderstood and encompasses more than just science and maths.
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Inge-Sarah Andersen originally planned to study physics but discovered engineering during her university studies. She now works as a senior asset engineer and is involved in STEM outreach. Andersen helped establish and develop Network Rail's Fast Trackers programme, which has introduced hundreds of students from communities with low further education progression rates to engineering careers and opportunities within the rail sector. She stated that greater understanding of engineering's varied opportunities earlier in life could have led her to choose the field sooner. Andersen also highlighted the importance of visibility, saying that when young women see individuals like themselves succeeding in engineering, it reinforces that these careers are accessible to them. She emphasised the need for diverse perspectives and experiences in engineering, where visibility plays a significant role in fostering a sense of belonging.
Network Rail is actively working to increase female representation in engineering through targeted recruitment campaigns, mentoring programmes, apprenticeships, and school partnerships. The company's employee network for women and gender equality, Inspire, has supported initiatives such as providing free period products at work sites and implementing female-specific personal protective equipment.
Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards
Separately, the IET has named five early-career engineers as finalists for its 2026 Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards. The shortlisted candidates include Rachel Chiu, principal systems architecture engineer at Eutelsat; Emma Findlay, deputy head of electronics at Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team; Caitlin Harmer, EDAS apprentice at BAE Systems; Ellie Owens, reliability engineer at Sellafield Ltd; and Meriem Voinica, a former electronics development engineer apprentice specialising in Formula 1 electronics systems development.
The recipient of the 2026 Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award will be announced at a ceremony scheduled for 3 December.
Questions this report answers
+What is Ada Lovelace Day?
Ada Lovelace Day is observed annually on 13 October to celebrate the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). It honours Ada Lovelace, a 19th-century mathematician credited as the first computer programmer.
+How many women work in engineering in the UK?
Women account for approximately 16.9% of Britain's engineering workforce, according to data from EngineeringUK. Efforts are being made by organisations like Network Rail to increase this representation.
+Who are the finalists for the IET's Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards?
The five finalists for the 2026 Young Woman Engineer of the Year Awards are Rachel Chiu, Emma Findlay, Caitlin Harmer, Ellie Owens, and Meriem Voinica. The winner will be announced on 3 December.
+What is Network Rail doing to support women in engineering?
Network Rail is increasing female representation through recruitment campaigns, mentoring, apprenticeships, and school partnerships. Initiatives like the Inspire employee network provide support, including free period products and female-specific personal protective equipment.
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