Professor Susan Gourvenec, Royal Academy of Engineering Chair in Emerging Technologies for Intelligent & Resilient Ocean Engineering (IROE), Professor of Offshore Geotechnical Engineering, and Deputy Director of the Southampton Marine & Maritime Institute, has become a Fellow of the Women’s Engineering Society (WES).

Founded in 1919, the Women’s Engineering Society is one of the world’s oldest professional organisations dedicated to supporting women in engineering and promoting diversity across the profession. Today, the Society supports women at every stage of their engineering careers through networking, mentoring, professional development, outreach and advocacy. It also recognises outstanding contributions to engineering through its Fellowship programme and national awards.

The Society founded International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), which has grown into a global movement championing diversity, innovation and inclusion across the engineering sector. Professor Gourvenec was previously profiled as one of the Trail Blazers featured in a special edition of The Engineer for INWED 2025 and delivered a lecture at the Royal Institution as part of INWED 2023 activities.

WES Fellowship recognises individuals who have made a significant impact on engineering and who act as influential role models for current and future generations. Professor Gourvenec has been a strong advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion in engineering, supporting initiatives that broaden participation and create opportunities for underrepresented groups across the sector.

Commenting on the honour, Professor Gourvenec said: “I am delighted to be recognised by an organisation that has championed women in engineering for more than a century. This Fellowship reflects not only my personal achievements, but also the importance of creating a profession in which talent, innovation and leadership can thrive regardless of gender and background.”

Her election as a Fellow of the Women’s Engineering Society further recognises a career dedicated to advancing engineering knowledge, delivering societal impact and inspiring the next generation of engineers