Category: Diversity and Inclusion

UWE Bristol’s Dr Laura Fogg-Rogers Honoured with WISE Nurturing New Talent Award

Author engineering | Posted on

Dr Laura Fogg-Rogers, Associate Professor for Engineering in Society at UWE Bristol, has been awarded the prestigious Nurturing New Talent Award at the 2025 WISE Awards, held at IET London: Savoy Place.

The ceremony, attended by Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, celebrated individuals and organisations making significant strides towards gender equity in STEM.

Championing Women in STEM

Dr Fogg-Rogers leads the Women Like Me/Women In Industry programme at UWE Bristol which is designed to empower women in STEM by fostering mentorship and cross-sector collaboration. Her efforts have transformed support structures for over 400 women, guiding them through pivotal stages of their careers. Notably, in just one year, her work contributed to increasing female enrolment in UWE Bristol’s degree apprenticeships from 20% to 37%.

A Leader in Inclusive, Sustainable, Engineering Education

Beyond mentorship, Dr Fogg-Rogers also leads UWE Bristol’s Inspire Sustainability outreach and community engagement programme. Where her Science Communication Unit team (Sarah Behenna, Louisa Cockbill, Kat Corbett and Joshua Warren) use curriculum-linked engineering and sustainability outreach and careers support, to connect children to real-life, diverse engineering role models to widen participation and aspirations for STEM and green careers.

Laura’s research and teaching focuses on community energy, climate action, and engaging under-served audiences in sustainable development. Reflecting this commitment, she was recently shortlisted for the Teaching for Sustainable Development Award at UWE’s Student Experience Awards. This award recognises staff who embed sustainability into learning and teaching, promote interdisciplinary thinking, and empower students to develop the knowledge, skills and values needed to support a more sustainable future.

Further recognition for Women in Industry team

UWE Bristol’s Women in Industry programme has also been shortlisted for the Training Provider Skills Champion category at the upcoming Enginuity Skills Awards 2025. This national award recognises outstanding commitment to learning and skills development that supports sustainable engineering and manufacturing growth through partnerships between providers and employers. Winners will be announced on the 3rd July!

Empowering the Future: How UWE Bristol is Transforming Apprenticeships and Workforce Diversity

Author engineering | Posted on

Celebrating International Women’s Day

To mark International Women’s Day , the Inspire Sustainability team at UWE Bristol are running an interactive workshop on March 13th 2025, with STEMazing’s Alex Knight.

The event is open to all (you can Register here) and we especially welcome anyone who might be interested in becoming a mentor/mentee in our Women Like Me mentoring scheme in the future. During the session Alex will focus on building confidence, reflecting on the impact of mentoring, and developing leadership skills, providing a valuable space for women apprentices and professionals to connect and support one another.

Mentoring has been a key success factor for the Women in Industry programme, which has seen a 39% increase in participation in the scheme, where senior women in industry support junior women. The programme has also driven a 60% increase in women applicants to apprenticeships at UWE Bristol in just one year. Previous UWE Bristol research shows mentoring and support networks can increase retention, progression, and self-efficacy among women in STEM.

The programme has also had intersectional success, with 38% of mentees coming from Black, Asian, Mixed, or Ethnic Minority backgrounds, compared to just 19% within the Bristol area. The Wave 1 project report is available online: Women in Industry Wave 1 Evaluation Report 2024

Women in Industry is now in Wave 2 and Wave 3 of funding from the Office for Students, and has expanded from its initial focus on diversifying male-dominated STEM fields (engineering, construction, and digital) to also tackling barriers to access in healthcare apprenticeships. Through a combination of degree apprenticeships, mentoring, and employer engagement, the team is ensuring that more people from underrepresented backgrounds can access careers in high-demand industries.

Driving Change: National Apprenticeship Week at Bristol Beacon

The project showcased these successes as part of National Apprenticeship Week, with a panel discussion at the Bristol Beacon, bringing together industry leaders dedicated to diversifying apprenticeships and addressing skills shortages.

Alexia Williams, Through Life Technical Lead at Rolls-Royce, shared her journey from apprentice to technical lead and her advocacy for STEM education. Becca Thurston, Head of Academy & Skills at YTL UK & Wessex Water, highlighted the importance of strong partnerships between education and industry. Jane Hafield, National Lead for Talent for Care and NHS Apprenticeships at NHS England, discussed workforce development strategies in healthcare. Councillor Ian Boulton, Co-Leader of South Gloucestershire Council, emphasized the role of local government in supporting apprenticeships. Nigel Fenn, Head of People, Projects, and Planning at Pennon Group, provided insights into apprenticeship growth in the utilities sector. Toby Gallagher, Registered Nursing Degree Apprentice at North Bristol Trust, offered a first-hand perspective on the impact of apprenticeships in healthcare. Together, they showcased the power of degree apprenticeships in shaping a skilled, diverse workforce.

Our speakers explored how degree apprenticeships can help close the STEM and healthcare skills gaps, with insights from Dr. Laura Fogg-Rogers and Simon Flenley on how our programme has driven a 60% increase in women applicants to apprenticeships at UWE Bristol in just one year. Employers shared best practices on making apprenticeships more inclusive, including mentorship, employer-supported career pathways, and recruitment strategies that challenge bias. With strong engagement from businesses, training providers, and educators, the event reinforced the power of cross-sector collaboration in shaping a diverse, skilled workforce.

Creating Inclusive Workplaces

With Wave 3 of the Office for Students project specifically targeting healthcare apprenticeships, the team is broadening their approach to inclusion—ensuring that people from ethnically diverse, socioeconomically disadvantaged, and neurodiverse backgrounds can access apprenticeships that lead to sustainable careers.

One of the partners, Inclusive Change, also plans to run training workshops for UWE staff and local employers. These sessions will focus on how to create neuro-inclusive workplaces, supporting employers to better understand and recruit neurodiverse talent in both STEM and healthcare apprenticeships. By embedding neurodiversity training into employer engagement, we are shaping a system that not only welcomes neurodiverse apprentices but also empowers them to thrive.

The Impact of Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration

What makes this project so effective is its cross-disciplinary approach—bringing together engineering, business leaders, HR professionals, and education specialists to drive real change. Through employer roundtables, mentoring, and skills training, we are breaking down barriers to recruitment and retention.

This impact has been amplified by our strong network of partners WISE Campaign (Women into Science and Engineering), Association for Black & Minority Ethnic Engineers, Babbasa, and STEM Ambassadors. These collaborations are extending our reach, provided invaluable expertise, and connected employers with a more diverse talent pipeline.

How to Get Involved

Register here to attend our International Women’s Day workshop.

To learn more about the Women in Industry programme and how you can support or participate in our work, visit our dedicated page: Women Like Me / Women in Industry.

For more information about degree apprenticeships at UWE Bristol, including available programmes and employer partnerships, visit: UWE Bristol Degree Apprenticeships.

As we continue through Wave 2 and Wave 3, our goal remains the same: to create a more inclusive, skilled, and future-ready workforce. By working across disciplines, engaging employers, and championing mentorship, we are ensuring that apprenticeships serve as a powerful tool for social mobility and industry growth.

UWE Bristol’s MAKERS Project Wins Staff Award for Sustainability

Author katcorbett | Posted on

UWE Bristol’s MAKERS project has been recognised with a Staff Award in the Sustainability category, celebrating its impactful work to improve diversity and inclusion in engineering while tackling the climate and ecological emergency. This recognition highlights the project’s contributions to fostering a sense of belonging among diverse engineering students and supporting sustainability in partnership with local communities.

MAKERS: A Hub for Connection, Creativity, and Sustainability

MAKERS, which stands for Making And Knowledge Exchange for Repair & Sustainability, bridges the gap between diverse engineering students at UWE Bristol and the local Maker and Repair communities in the West of England. With nearly £90,000 in funding from the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity Impact Programme, the project has developed a series of co-creation workshops that address multiple challenges:

  • Belonging and inclusion: MAKERS provides students—especially women and individuals from minority backgrounds—with a welcoming environment to collaborate and grow as engineers.
  • Skill-building and employability: Students enhance their practical and professional skills, working alongside experienced community mentors and STEM industry professionals.
  • Sustainability: Through repair workshops and hands-on activities, students and community members contribute to reducing waste, preventing 303kg of waste from reaching landfill, and avoiding 2 tons of CO2 emissions.

The project embodies UWE Bristol’s commitment to sustainability while making tangible strides in improving diversity within STEM fields.

The Impact of MAKERS

Since its launch in 2023, MAKERS has delivered significant outcomes:

  • Increased diversity: 32% of regular student participants are women (compared to 16% in engineering nationally), and 77% come from Global Majority backgrounds.
  • Community engagement: MAKERS collaborated with 17 organisations and hosted repair and making workshops for over 70 community members.
  • Ongoing opportunities: A monthly Repair Café on UWE’s Frenchay Campus invites community members to bring broken items to repair, fostering hands-on learning and collaboration between students and community volunteers.

The project also connects students with STEM Ambassadors and retired engineers from the Bristol Repair Café network, providing invaluable mentoring opportunities.

Rewarding Engagement and Growth

MAKERS participants not only contribute to sustainability but also gain professional and personal benefits:

  • Networking opportunities: Students collaborate with industry professionals and community members, creating lasting connections.
  • Skill recognition: Participants earn digital skills badges (bronze, silver, or gold) to showcase their expertise on LinkedIn and other platforms.
  • Practical tools: After attending five events, students receive repair kits or vouchers to continue their sustainability efforts at home.

In addition, students have access to cutting-edge resources, including 3D printing facilities, sewing machines, and technician support to work on personal and community-focused repair projects.

Looking Ahead

The MAKERS project’s success is being recognised on multiple levels. It has been shortlisted for the prestigious Green Gown Awards in the Benefitting Society category and featured at conferences such as the International Symposium on Academic Maker Spaces and Science in Public. With plans to publish findings in academic journals, the team aims to further contribute to research on diversity in STEM education and sustainability practices.

This award is a testament to the MAKERS project’s ability to weave sustainability, skill development, and community into a meaningful initiative that transforms lives while addressing global challenges.

The MAKERS Team are continuing to develop the evaluation. You can find some of the outcomes so far in the following publications:

MAKERS poster Can a student-led Repair Café develop a sense of belonging and provide hands-on experiences for engineering students?

MAKERS Report Making and knowledge exchange for repair and sustainability

Empowering sustainable repair at UWE Bristol: a collaborative tech repair workshop with FixMyTek

Author katcorbett | Posted on

On October 30th, the MAKERS project collaborated with student start-up and device repair experts FixMyTek for a Tech Repair Workshop at UWE Bristol’s School of Engineering. The event aimed to empower students and staff to engage in hands-on repairs to reduce electronic waste.

The MAKERS Project, which stands for “Making and Knowledge Exchange for Repair and Sustainability,” serves as a unique initiative designed to foster repair skills and encourage the reuse of resources within the university community and beyond. Through workshops and collaborative activities, MAKERS creates an inclusive environment where students, staff, and members from the community can connect, learn repair skills, and ultimately embrace a more sustainable lifestyle.

The turnout for the workshop was fantastic, with a strong mix of students and staff bringing in personal devices that required fixing or rejuvenating. Attendees tackled a wide range of electronics, including the brush roll of a vacuum cleaner, a charging adaptor with a shorted circuit, a faulty iron, and a particularly stubborn hair dryer. In just a few hours, participants collectively saved an estimated 4.15 kilograms of electronic waste—showcasing the significant impact of choosing repair over replacement.

Training in electrical engineering is a core mission of FixMyTek, whose team of technicians comprises university students from UWE Bristol and the University of Bristol got to work alongside their peers as part of the workshop. It was also fantastic to see that one of last year’s MAKERS students had since joined FixMyTek as a member of their team, turning their repair skills into a paid role.

The workshop atmosphere was both relaxed and educational, with participants learning from each other, viewing tutorials, sharing repair tips, and enjoying refreshments.

This experience further underscores the potential for tech repair and upcycling workshops to make a measurable impact in reducing waste and encouraging sustainable habits.

MAKERS and FixMyTek are continuing to collaborate, with a similar workshop planned in the community of St Paul’s later this year.

Partner with UWE Bristol’s School of Engineering for Community-Focused Projects

Author katcorbett | Posted on

The School of Engineering at UWE Bristol is seeking to collaborate with local community organisations by supporting project ideas relevant to engineering students enrolled in the Professionalism for Engineers module.

We are inviting project proposals from community, voluntary, and social enterprise sectors.

This initiative offers organisations the opportunity to receive free engineering consultancy from a small group of students (3-6 individuals). These students will develop skills in teamwork, client communication, and practical engineering applications as part of their course. The scheme is open for applications until 30 November 2024, with projects scheduled to run from February to April 2025.

Projects may involve researching and assessing opportunities or challenges for your organisation, planning or providing designs and proposals, or, in some instances, delivering an engineered item or solution. Examples of potential projects include: auditing and conceptualising a new engineering initiative, such as creating sustainable outdoor spaces or developing clean energy solutions; investigating community issues and proposing engineering solutions; or adapting infrastructure to meet specific community needs. Examples of past projects from 2019 are available on the blog.

For more information and to apply, please download the Organisation Brief below and submit the completed form to engineeringourfuture@uwe.ac.uk.

Download the organisation brief

Boosting Female Participation in Degree Apprenticeships

Author engineering | Posted on

UWE Bristol is proud to announce the positive impact of its recent project, supported by funding from the Office for Students (OfS), aimed at increasing female participation in engineering and built environment degree apprenticeships. This initiative is already driving growth and fostering inclusivity in these vital sectors.

The OfS funding supports the following UWE Bristol degree apprenticeship programmes:

A core focus of the project is addressing gender imbalances across engineering and construction. Building on the success of the Women Like Me mentoring and outreach programme, we are thrilled to see a significant rise in female applicants, with women making up 37% of applications in 2024/25, compared to 20% the previous year. We expect that over 30% of new starters in several STEM apprenticeship programmes will be women—far exceeding the national average of 16% female representation in engineering.

Associate Professor Laura Fogg-Rogers, who leads the Women Like Me programme, highlights the importance of role models and mentors:
“It really brings home the saying that ‘You can’t be what you can’t see!’. Mentors in the Women Like Me programme are critical to support young women making their way into male-dominated professions, and feedback shows they make such a difference to career progression. Junior women thriving in apprenticeships are fantastic role models, inspiring the next generation to pursue impactful careers in engineering, property, and construction.”

Employer engagement is another vital aspect of this project. Roundtable events focused on diverse recruitment have drawn interest from a range of businesses, including new participants such as Boeing and Bristol Airport. David Barrett, Director of Apprenticeships at UWE Bristol, emphasizes the collaborative nature of the initiative:
“This project brings together employers and the University to make a real impact on the recruitment of women in STEM apprenticeships. We are already seeing the positive effects of this partnership approach in widening the talent pool and addressing skills gaps in key STEM industries.”

Simon Flenley, Assistant Director of Apprenticeships, notes the growing interest from employers:
“We’ve seen a 58% increase in employer engagement for these programmes from 2023/24 to 2024/25. It’s encouraging to see so many businesses committed to addressing skills shortages while also focusing on diversifying their workforce.”

For more information about this initiative and how it’s shaping the future of STEM apprenticeships click on the links below:

Women Like Me – Projects | UWE Bristol

Higher and degree apprenticeships – Courses and applying | UWE Bristol

Women Like Me Mentoring Programme – Now Open for Second Cohort in 2024!

Author engineering | Posted on

We are excited to announce that our Women Like Me mentoring programme is now open for recruitment for a second cohort in 2024!

Thanks to additional funding from the Office for Students, we’re expanding this successful initiative, offering even more women the chance to benefit from tailored mentoring, support, and development opportunities.

For the past five years, UWE Bristol has proudly run the Women Like Me programme, a mentoring and outreach scheme designed to support women in male-dominated industries. We have already supported more than 300 women, pairing senior women with junior counterparts to foster meaningful mentoring relationships. These connections are strengthened by access to training, networking events, and dedicated mentor guidance.

What’s New in 2024?

This year, we’re introducing some exciting changes to the programme:

  • A Second Cohort: For the first time ever, we’re offering a second cohort of participants in October 2024.
  • Expanded Scope: In addition to supporting women in a variety of industries, we’re now able to widen the breadth of sectors covered by our programme. We’re opening doors to even more professional opportunities, helping women across new fields to grow their careers.
  • Degree Apprentices Welcome: Thanks to the additional funding, we’re excited to welcome degree apprentices into the Women Like Me programme. Apprentices will not only gain valuable mentoring support but will also have the chance to inspire future generations by participating in outreach activities with local schools.

Who Can Take Part?

  • Mentees: We’re inviting degree apprentices* and women with less than five years of industry experience to take part as mentees. This is a fantastic opportunity to receive tailored guidance and support from experienced professionals.
  • Mentors: If you’re a woman with at least five years of professional experience, we encourage you to sign up as a mentor. As a mentor, you’ll receive training and support to help you guide your mentee through the year.

*This programme focuses on the following UWE Bristol degrees:

  • Aerospace Engineer
  • Manufacturing Engineer
  • Civil Engineer
  • Construction Site Manager
  • Building Services Design Engineer
  • Chartered Surveyor
  • Cyber Security
  • Digital and Technology
  • Product Design
  • Electronic Systems
  • Nuclear

How to Get Involved

Whether you’re a mentor ready to share your experience or a mentee looking for guidance in your career, this is your opportunity to be part of an empowering mentoring community. By joining the Women Like Me programme, you’ll gain access to a network of support, tailored training, and the chance to make a real difference—both in your career and in your community.

Don’t miss out! Enrol now on the link below and help us continue to create an inclusive and thriving environment for women in industry.

Women Like Me – Projects | UWE Bristol

Eastville Old Library and the MAKERS Project: Cultivating Community through Food Growing and Sewing Workshops

Author katcorbett | Posted on

Over the past year, the MAKERS Project, which was funded by the Royal Academy of Engineering’s Diversity Impact Programme, has partnered with the Eastville Old Library to deliver workshops focused on food growing, sewing, and textile repair.

About the Old Library

The Old Library, a volunteer-run community hub, is situated in the heart of the South Lockleaze & Purdown neighborhood. It offers a variety of activities, events, a café, a kids’ space, a lounge, a book swap, a community garden, and a repair café. Established by the South Lockleaze & Purdown Neighbourhood Group C.I.C. after the closure of their local library in 2016 due to budget cuts, the Old Library aims to foster a more social, safe, and strong community in North Bristol. As South Lockleaze is one of the most deprived areas in Bristol, community spaces like the Old Library are essential for residents.

University Collaboration

UWE Bristol and its School of Engineering have longstanding ties with the Old Library. They have previously supported the establishment of a weekly STEM Club and a monthly repair café, and there is also a monthly Climate Book Club, run by Sarah Robertson from the English Literature Department.

Food Growing Workshops

To make food growing accessible to people from all backgrounds, the Old Library, leveraging its proximity to local allotments, partnered with Sara Venn from Edible Bristol. This initiative aimed to address food insecurity and promote sustainable growing methods in the area. Two workshops were held for participants involved in local community growing projects, including Really Wild Lockleaze, Hillfields Community Garden, St Werburgh’s City Farm Allotments, Eastville Welcome Space, and Lockleaze Neighbourhood Trust. These sessions facilitated skill-sharing and connections with other Bristol groups.

The workshops covered soil and regenerative gardening, as well as seeds and seed saving. Participants learned about growing methods that work with nature, support biodiversity, and produce healthy food at minimal cost, making these practices accessible to people from lower-income backgrounds.

Sewing and Upcycling Workshops

Recognising the fashion industry’s impact on climate change, the Old Library organised five sewing, mending, and upcycling classes in collaboration with sustainable fashion workshop and service provider, Re_Thrindle. Nineteen locals, including three UWE Bristol students involved in the MAKERS Project, signed up to learn sewing machine use and garment repair, with priority given to those on low incomes.

Due to high demand, these sessions are set to continue after the summer, with more collaborations in the pipeline.

Celebrate International Women in Engineering Day with STEMAZING!

Author engineering | Posted on

Join us in celebrating International Women in Engineering Day with our partner, STEMAZING, for an inspiring “smorgasbord” of speakers. Hear from diverse voices as they share their stories, expertise, and insights on making STEM inclusive for everyone.

This dynamic 2-hour session allows you to dip in and out of bite-sized presentations, choosing the topics that interest you most.

Event Details:

  • Date: Thursday, 25th June
  • Time: 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
  • Location: Online

Don’t miss out! Register here to secure your spot and gain access to all event recordings.

MAKERS project brings engineering skills to young people in St Paul’s

Author katcorbett | Posted on

The MAKERS project actively supported local community groups in helping them to develop new skills around making and repair, promoting self-sufficiency and empowerment of individuals and communities, and highlighting engineering as a career choice. As part of this, MAKERS collaborated with three remarkable community organisations in St Paul’s:

  • Bridging Histories: A project co-led with Bristol University, focused on uniting divided communities.
  • Each One Teach One: A violence prevention organisation dedicated to fostering peace.
  • Fancy Finance: An organisation assisting local residents in managing the pressures of the cost-of-living crisis.

The Workshops

The community partners and the MAKERS team co-designed a series of seven workshops running from April to June 2024. These sessions aimed to introduce participants to new engineering skills and inspire future aspirations:

  1. Introduction to Basic Electronics (including soldering, see image above, taken by George Francis)
  2. Scooter and (Electric) Bike Mechanics and Maintenance
  3. An Introduction to Python Coding
  4. Computer Aided Design (Tinkercad)
  5. Routes into Higher Education and Engineering
  6. Tour of UWE Bristol’s Engineering Building (Featuring Virtual Reality Rooms, Simulators, and a wind turbine building activity.)
  7. Trip to Pytch Bristol (A sustainably run event production company.)
Pytch Bristol – photo by Dayton Powell
Inside Pytch Air – photo by Dayton Powell
Digital Gallery – photo by Dayton Powell
Exploring digital engineering using Minecraft – photo by Dayton Powell

Impact and Participation

Each session was attended by up to 15 young people, supported by community experts and current/former UWE students and staff. Many participants faced significant barriers to higher education, so MAKERS focused on creating an inclusive and welcoming environment at the university, a place many had never visited before.

Learning and Future Collaborations

The project offered invaluable insights for both the university and community organisations. This experience has laid the groundwork for future collaborations, and the MAKERS team is excited about establishing a long-term partnership to continue supporting and empowering the community.

The MAKERS project was funded through the Diversity Impact Programme from the Royal Academy of Engineering, aiming to improve belonging for diverse engineers. The evaluation findings will be reported soon.

Back to top