The UK’s first statue of a living engineer has been unveiled in London to commemorate National Engineering Day, honouring the work of Alice Kan.

Alice Kan played a pivotal role in the Covid-19 vaccine rollout, leading the team responsible for establishing the AstraZeneca vaccine’s fill-finish manufacturing at Wockhardt during the pandemic.

This outstanding achievement placed Alice and her team at the centre of the UK’s response to the global health crisis — and it’s this exceptional engineering accomplishment that the new statue seeks to honour, with hopes of inspiring future generations to pursue careers in engineering.

The statue has been erected outside the Royal Academy of Engineering’s (RAEng) headquarters at Carlton House Terrace, and stands as a testament to Alice’s contributions and the profession’s critical role in society.

Unlike traditional bronze or marble statues, its artist Kelly Anna chose to craft Alice Kan’s likeness in a contemporary, vibrant style, symbolising the dynamic and evolving nature of engineering.

Kelly’s design depicts Alice gazing upward with hope and optimism, composed of dynamic blocks and shapes that symbolise her team-building skills and ability to overcome challenges.

A feature of the statue is a pencil, representing Alice’s determination and problem-solving spirit. She is also portrayed holding an oversized vial, symbolising her work on Covid vaccine manufacturing and her continued contributions to fighting deadly diseases.

London based artist and designer, Kelly Anna, is known for her powerful, silhouetted figures.

“Being honoured in statue form is a very surreal experience,” said Alice, who hails from Macclesfield, Cheshire. “I really hope that it encourages people to understand more about engineering, what engineers do, and why it’s a great career for anyone who’s got a curiosity for wanting to make things work better.”

This unveiling is part of a broader campaign by the RAEng to change public perceptions and inspire a new generation of engineers. By highlighting inspirational engineering role models like Alice, the academy seeks to demonstrate the real-world impact of engineering and encourage young people to explore the field.

The RAEng introduces: The engineering role model – a statue to inspire engineers of the future.

Calling all aspiring female engineers: Only 15.7 per cent of engineers today are women.

According to the RAEng, women currently make up just 15.7 per cent of the UK engineering workforce, dropping from 16.5 per cent in 2023. A lack of visible female role models in engineering is cited as a key factor contributing to why fewer young women consider this field as a viable career path.

A survey of young people aged 12 to 15 found that 80 per cent believe having role models is crucial for setting and achieving personal and career goals. However, when asked to name a real engineer or one featured in popular culture, many failed to do so.

How many female engineering role models can you name?

There are a number of women engineers who are making significant contributions to the field today, and raising their profiles is a crucial part of inspiring the next generation. Here are six:

  1. Frances Arnold – A chemical engineer and Nobel laureate in Chemistry, Frances Arnold is known for her pioneering work in the field of enzyme engineering. She developed methods to evolve enzymes for specific applications, which have had major implications for industrial processes and green chemistry.
  2. Kimberly Bryant – The founder of Black Girls Code, Bryant is on a mission to teach young girls of colour the skills they need to become future leaders in the fields of technology and engineering. Through her work, she is breaking down barriers and empowering the next generation of engineers.
  3. Dr. Anne-Marie Imafidon – Co-founder and CEO of Stemettes. Imafidon is an engineer, mathematician, and tech advocate. Through Stemettes, she promotes STEM careers among young girls and women. She’s also known for her work in AI and data science, and she has a strong public presence as a speaker and advocate for women in technology.
  4. Roma Agrawal – Structural engineer and author. Known for her work as a structural engineer on London’s iconic Shard, Agrawal has become a prominent voice for women in engineering. She speaks and writes about engineering challenges, and her work is recognised in both structural engineering and advocacy for diversity.
  5. Reshma Saujani – As the founder of Girls Who Code, Saujani has been instrumental in encouraging young women to pursue careers in coding and engineering. She is a strong advocate for closing the gender gap in tech and engineering.
  6. Debbie Sterling – The founder and CEO of GoldieBlox, Sterling is dedicated to making engineering and STEM more accessible and exciting for young girls. Her company’s toys encourage girls to develop skills in engineering and problem-solving, helping to close the gender gap in the industry.

Engineering: Today, Tomorrow and Beyond

Our new programme for 2024, ‘Engineering: Today, Tomorrow and Beyond’ launched today, for National Engineering Day. Watch the full programme here.