Women who go to college intending to become engineers stay in the profession less often than men. Why is this? While multiple reasons have been offered in the past, a new study co-authored by an MIT sociologist develops a novel explanation: The negative group dynamics women tend to experience during team-based work projects makes the profession less appealing.
More specifically, the study finds, women often feel marginalized, especially during internships, other summer work opportunities, or team-based educational activities. In those situations, gender dynamics seem to generate more opportunities for men to work on the most challenging problems, while women tend to be assigned routine tasks or simple managerial duties.
Click here to read the full article on MIT's news website.
Regina students win global contest on energy efficiency
Three graduates of the University of Regina Faculty of Engineering are the first Canadian students to win a global design contest.
The competition was put on by the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). According to its website, "the ASHRAE Student Design Competition recognizes outstanding student design projects, encourages undergraduate students to become involved in the profession, promotes teamwork, and allows students to apply their knowledge of practical design."
Women Engineering the Future Expo - Inaugural Trailblazers Awards Recipients Announced
Women Engineering the Future Expo is pleased to announce the recipients of their inaugural Trailblazers Awards. WEF Trailblazers Award celebrates the lifelong contributions women engineers and technologists from classroom to boardroom make to our society—and our world. We encourage and reward advancements in technological innovation, leadership, education, work/life balance, outreach and diversity. 2015 marks the third year of the Women Engineering the Future Expo and the Expo is bigger than ever.
• Suzanne West - -President and CEO of Imaginea Energy Corp., a private oil company in Calgary. - Entrepreneur Award Recipient
• Jocelyn Grozic - A Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, specializing in Geotechnical Engineering - Distinguished Engineering Educator Award Recipient
• Dr. Josephine Hill - A Professor and Canada Research Chair in Hydrogen and Catalysis in the Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering of the Schulich School of Engineering at the University of Calgary. - Advocating Women in Engineering Award Recipient
The WEF Trailblazers Award is a note taken of their earnest efforts for the betterment of the women in engineering. We hope we too do something worthwhile taking some inspiration from their work.
Once again hearty congratulations! Please join us as we recognize and celebrate their accomplishments at the third Women Engineering the Future Expo
Buy Tickets for the Trailblazers: Women in Science and Technology Awards and Networking reception. (limited seating) OR register for the Awards and Expo. Early discounts ends August 8,
Women Engineering the Future (WEF) Expo in Calgary, Alberta | October 14 - 15, 2015
On behalf of Women Engineers you are invited to attend the Women Engineering the Future (WEF) Expo to be held in Calgary, Alberta on October 14 – 15, 2015. Find more details here http://womenengineers.ca/
University of Toronto engineers compete at Pan Am Games
Donna Vakalis (CivE PhD Candidate) competes for Team Canada in the modern pentathlon and Sasha Gollish (CivE MEng 1T0, EngEd PhD Candidate) runs for Canada in the 1500m.
Click here to read the full article on the University of Toronto's website.
ADGA Group Ottawa - Our Featured Partner in July
This July we are proud to recognize the support of the ADGA Group Ottawa on our website home page, a Partner since 2006.
Vale's Samantha Espley has received the 2015 Award for Support of Women in the Engineering Profession
When Canada’s top engineers gathered last month to celebrate their greatest achievements, our own Samantha Espley enjoyed a well-deserved moment in the spotlight.
Espley, who heads up the Mines & Mill Technical Services at Vale’s Ontario Operations, was presented with the 2015 Award for Support of Women in the Engineering Profession at the Engineers Canada Awards Gala in Calgary.
“I am humbled and grateful to Engineers Canada for recognizing me in this way,” said Espley of this award that recognizes her accomplishments as an engineer plus her contribution to support women in the industry.
Espley views the prize in context of her profession’s effort to attract the best young minds. “For me, the recognition is for the men and women in our workplace and community who have supported all kinds of young girls and boys to think about careers in engineering and science and mining – what it means to our economy and our community,” she said.
Espley earned her degree in applied science and engineering at University of Toronto, and her Masters at Laurentian University. In her role at Vale, Espley leads more than 200 engineers, geologists, metallurgists and technologists who work across our Ontario Operations.
“I have a team of incredible professionals who do the day-to-day and long-term planning work – smart, wonderful people who do the work for six of our underground mines, our pits and quarries, and the mill. I have a central team as well, that looks after the governance,” said Espley, who just celebrated her 25th anniversary with Vale.
Instrumental throughout her career in getting women interested in mining roles typically occupied by men, Espley assisted in founding the Sudbury Chapter of Women in Science & Engineering (WISE) in 1998, and helped start the WISE Olympics in 2000.
“My forte is coming up with ideas about how to get young girls enthusiastic about engineering and science – get them confident in their own skills,” she said. “We don’t have a lot of women in engineering and we still don’t have a lot in mining, in particular, so that’s why I’ve been actively advocating for women to join.”
In 2013, Samantha was awarded the Women in Mining (WIM) Canada National Trailblazer Award, which recognizes women who have taken personal career risks and helped to advance the careers of other women. That same year, she was one of three Vale leaders in the world’s 100 most influential women in mining list by WIM in the UK.
Her important influence is also felt within her own family: her two eldest daughters are currently in mining engineering programs at Laurentian University, her son studies at Cambrian College, and youngest daughter is finishing Grade 11 this year – all with a promising future ahead.
This article was originally posted by Vale News. Click here to view the original news article.
Welcome to our new Ruby Partner, the Canadian Society of Senior Engineers!
Welcome to our new Ruby Partner, the Canadian Society of Senior Engineers, whose donation, at their request, has been allocated to the Marie Carter Memorial Scholarship fund.
CEMF Ambassador Awards Recipients Are Announced
The Canadian Engineering Memorial Foundation has released press releases nationally introducing the 2015 recipients. Congratulations goes out to these prestigious young women. Click here to find out more…
CEMF Ambassador Awards Ceremony
The 2016 CEMF Ambassador Awards Ceremony will be held in Charlotown, PEI on Thursday May 26, 2016 in conjunction with the annual Engineers Canada meetings.
