The School of Engineering and Materials Science (SEMS) is delighted to welcome Dr Nike Folayan MBE HonFREng as a Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professor in Inclusive Engineering Education and Professional Skills Development.

Dr Folayan will join SEMS for a period of three years, bringing her outstanding industry expertise, leadership experience, and commitment to inclusive engineering to Queen Mary University of London (QMUL). This prestigious appointment will combine Dr Folayan’s extensive professional and industry knowledge with the teaching and learning expertise of SEMS staff to develop a portfolio of innovative materials across the educational curriculum. The goal is to embed inclusivity at the heart of our educational approach, ensuring that every student can thrive within a supportive and diverse environment.

The initiative has a dual purpose:

• To create a more inclusive environment within QMUL engineering that empowers all students to achieve their full potential.
• To instil in students an understanding of cultural competences that they can carry forward into their professional careers.

Aims and Impact

The appointment of Dr Folayan as a Visiting Professor is designed to have a transformative impact on how SEMS prepares the next generation of engineers. The programme seeks to develop rounded professionals who are not only technically skilled but also critically engaged with the broader social, ethical, and environmental dimensions of engineering practice.

Through interactive seminars, case-based learning, and workshops, students will develop key attributes including:

• Improved Critical Thinking: Encouraging students to explore how cultural competence and inclusivity influence engineering outcomes.
• Enhanced Graduate Attributes: Engaging with global case studies to apply engineering principles in culturally diverse and economically varied contexts.
• Increased Employability: Gaining insight into the soft skills and professional competencies required for success in the modern engineering workforce.

Programme Overview

Over the three-year Visiting Professorship, Dr Folayan will deliver a range of activities for both students and staff, including interactive seminars and mentorship opportunities for all undergraduate and postgraduate students focusing on diversity in leadership, overcoming barriers for underrepresented groups, and the importance of inclusive design. There will also be staff development workshops on embedding inclusive pedagogy and cultural competence into the curriculum.

About Dr Nike Folayan MBE HonFREng

Dr Folayan is a Technical Director for the Communications and Control Division at WSP, where she is responsible for the strategic vision of the division’s innovation and technology portfolio. She is also the Co-Founder and Chair of the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK) - a national organisation that promotes diversity in the engineering and technology sectors. Under her leadership, AFBE-UK has grown to over 3,000 members, partnered with more than 80 corporations and universities, and reached over 23,000 beneficiaries across the UK.

Dr Folayan is deeply committed to driving inclusion within engineering, bridging industry and academia, and inspiring the next generation of engineers to lead with cultural awareness and empathy.

About AFBE-UK

The Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK) promotes higher achievements in education and engineering careers among people from Black and minority ethnic backgrounds. The organisation supports individuals at all stages through initiatives such as career workshops, mentoring programmes, and industry partnerships.

AFBE-UK’s vision aligns strongly with Queen Mary’s Strategy 2030, which aims to make QMUL the most inclusive university of its kind. The collaboration between SEMS and AFBE-UK will enhance efforts to create visible role models, promote cultural competence, and strengthen pathways into engineering for underrepresented communities.

Find out more:

Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE-UK)
Royal Academy of Engineering Visiting Professorships