The imperative of social sustainability in engineering

I’m delighted to be guest editing the 100^th edition of Ingenia. This issue marks the 25^th year that the magazine has existed and like the industry, it has gone through some changes. Our desire for faster, taller and greater has been superseded by the urgent need for kinder, more considerate and steadfast solutions. Extreme environmental events remind us that our world is in flux and that engineers have the skills to safeguard us against vulnerability. It certainly has been an unprecedented quarter of a century and Ingenia has proudly documented its highlights. 

Despite the external fluxes, engineering has continued to be the cornerstone of innovation and progress. From resilient infrastructure, sustainable approaches and reusable solutions, engineering has become more conscious as an industry, but there is still a long way to go. The pivotal role engineers play in shaping our future is only becoming more crucial. I have been particularly enthusiastic and inspired by the ambitions of the Royal Academy of Engineering (and hence Ingenia) in celebrating and embracing the principles of widening participation, equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI). This, I hope, will be the underpinning of the next 25 years ahead.

Historically, engineering has earned itself a reputation of being an exclusive domain, dominated by one gender. This lack of diversity and inclusion limited the industry’s talent pool, but also restricted the breadth of perspectives that drive innovation. The Royal Academy of Engineering has been committed to changing this, to recognise that a diverse and inclusive engineering workforce is a strategic necessity for global success – and acknowledge that engineering teams comprising individuals from varied backgrounds are better equipped to solve complex problems and generate novel solutions. There is no doubt that diversity enhances the relevance and applicability of outcomes to a broader segment of society and Ingenia has documented this well.

Personally, I have witnessed and experienced an evolving industry over the past two decades: one that is becoming more diverse and inclusive than ever before. But change takes time, and where I have hope and excitement is in the ambition to make engineering in the UK more accessible. Communication is key to this goal. Current and future engineers are upskilling themselves in communicating their craft and expertise, allowing us all to see how rich the industry is with creativity, ingenuity, expertise, and care for best practice. It is with these intentions that we will develop future innovations and solutions to our future and Ingenia will be at the forefront telling you all about it!

Over the years, Ingenia has increased its coverage of widening participation, showcasing engineers and engineering that have originated from unconventional backgrounds. Going forward, upskilling individuals who have not followed the well-trodden paths of university degrees into engineering careers creates a more interesting workforce. Apprenticeships and T levels are a fantastic pathway into engineering, bridging the divide between academia and industry, so everyone gains. The inclusion of a diverse range of socio-economic status, gender, ethnicity, disability, and geography provides opportunity through unity. 

And we all play a part. Making the most of the wealth of untapped potential available is a collective endeavour that requires the engagement of educational institutions, industry, professional bodies, and individuals – all of whom are forming part of a growing Ingenia readership. Ingenia has evolved to serve an engineering profession and community that truly leaves no one behind, especially with its recent presence online. Hence, with the variety of pathways into engineering, equality, diversity and inclusion in engineering can be achieved and industry must take note. Securing future talent pools must begin now through supporting the education and development of our future engineers. 

Sustainability became a buzzword approximately 50 years ago, sparking a wave of new thinking, practices and ambitions for recycling, re-purposing and reuse. Today we are starting to recognise that ‘social sustainability’ is crucial for the future of engineering too and achieved by creating working environments where individuals are celebrated for their abilities and contributions rather than judged on inherent biases. We all play a part in achieving this by ensuring that policies, practices, and cultures within educational institutions and workplaces are fair and nondiscriminatory. Moreover, providing equal access to professional development opportunities ensures that everyone has the chance to advance and excel in their careers.

This issue of Ingenia brings together a range of experiences, ideas, and viewpoints, fostering the creativity and innovation that exists in engineering throughout the past, present and future. The increased cultivation of diversity within our articles has been essential to valuing the contributions from a variety of engineers. Actively seeking underrepresented voices has been crucial for me as guest editor and I hope more of them feature in the future. Additionally, in celebrating diverse role models and their achievements in engineering I hope that we demonstrate that engineering is a sector where everyone can thrive, where hard work and commitment is valued and supported. Where differences are not only accepted but championed, so that individuals feel empowered to make a positive difference through their differences. 

So, as we look to the next 25 years of engineering, I hope our articles highlight our commitment to widening participation. The engineering profession’s potential is boundless when it harnesses the talents and perspectives of all individuals. So, let us build a strong engineering future together, so that it can be celebrated here at Ingenia, both in print and online in future issues to come.