Diversity is key in engineering because a variety of viewpoints can unlock answers to complex problems. Together, we - engineers - can create the future. Let’s celebrate Black History Month by getting to know a bit more about some incredible engineering role models who are also advocates of diversity:

1. Dr Ollie Folayan

“I often say that engineers are the midwives of sustainability; none of the UN’s sustainable development goals can be delivered without us.”

Dr Ollie Folayan MBE is Deputy President of IMechE, head of process engineering at Costain and Co-Founder of the Association of Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE -UK). Throughout his career, since completing his Undergraduate degree in 1999, Ollie has been an advocate for EDI and sustainable practices in engineering.

2. Dr Nike Folayan

“Never give up. Have the courage to succeed. There will be challenges but just keep going.”

Dr Nike Folayan MBE HonFREng is a Visiting Professor in Inclusive Engineering Education and Professional Skill Development at Queen Mary School of Engineering and Materials Science. With Dr Ollie Folayan, she co-founded the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers UK (AFBE-UK). In her career she has been on steering boards, committees and judging panels for various organisations championing diversity in engineering.

3. Dr Esther Odekunle

“My hope is that one day I will see a science community that values and protects people above productivity.”

Esther Odekunle is a Queen Mary alum who is known for her work in antibody engineering and her advocacy for diversity in STEM fields. Her popular social media profiles highlight other women in STEM and introduces scientific ideas and careers advice in a fun way.

4. Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

“I want to inspire the next generation of scientists, especially girls, and let them know that STEM is for them.”

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE is known for co-presenting the BBC programme The Sky at Night. Her work on satellite instruments included developing observation instruments for the Aeolus satellite, which helped investigate climate change.

She is the first black woman to win a gold medal in the Physics News Award and she served as the president of the British Science Association from 2021 to 2022.

5. Professor Nira Chamberlain

“You don’t need anybody’s permission to be a great mathematician”

Professor Nira Chamberlain OBE is a mathematician who has written models and simulation algorithms that solve industrial problems for the engineering industry. He was the first Black mathematician featured in Who’s Who since 1849. He is a former President of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. He is one of only five mathematicians selected by the Science Council as one of the UK’s top scientists.

His lecture, The Black Heroes of Mathematics is often used in schools during Black History Month.

6. Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon

“Encouraging and inspiring future generations is about allowing them to see that everyone has a part to play in building what happens next.”

Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE is a computer engineer who co-founded Stemettes, an organisation and platform promoting women, non-binary people and girls in STEM. At the age of 11 she became the youngest girl to pass A-level computing.

She has appeared on Countdown, 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Richard Osman’s House of Games as well as several other TV appearances.

7. David Waboso

“Engineering excellence is fantastic, but it is only when that makes a positive impact on the customers in a cost-effective way that engineering really achieves its full potential.”

David Waboso CBE is a Civil Engineer known for modernising UK rail systems. He began his career working in water, roads and bridges and has since overseen the updating of London’s DLR system, the opening of the Jubilee Line and improving the European Rail Traffic Management System. He is now interested in how railways can become greener, and encouraging young people into the rail industry.