FE Principal and Dean for STEM makes Top 100 Women in Engineering list

June 2024

By Carrie Mok

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Rosa Wells, FE Principal and Dean for STEM at University College Birmingham, has made the Women's Engineering Society's Top 100 list of Women in Engineering.

Founded, the 2024 Women in Engineering Awards celebrate women engineers engaged in safety and security with Rosa making the Highly Commended list.

Rosa started her career in aerospace engineering at 18 years old and was supported by her company to gain an MEng. In 2005, she moved into engineering education, empowering young minds to gain the skills needed for a rich and rewarding career in STEM.

Rosa presenting research to the Princess Royal.
Photo credit: Theodore Wood Photography

She has taken a specific interest in research related to improving access for under-represented groups into further study and progression within engineering. Supported by a Technical Teaching Fellowship and presented to The Princess Royal, Rosa established routes into study that are more inclusive and account for work experience not just qualifications. Its implementation led to a growth in student numbers from 50 to 250 annually for engineers in work and upskilling.

Rosa has also facilitated funding for training for female engineering apprentices to train as role models and to deliver sessions in schools to girls. She set up a WISE regional hub to improve connectivity on a local level advocating for women in engineering, with links to STEM Learning and EngineeringUK.

In 2016, she supported the development of an Institute of Technology (IoT) for the West Midlands region, the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Institute of Technology, and was appointed Executive Director in 2019.

The IoT attracted investment of over £10m to enhance engineering teaching, establishing an Industry 4.0 learning factory in Birmingham to support schools, young people and those wishing to upskill and for innovative research. The IoT has engaged with over 1500 engineering students and 2500 school children since 2019, enhancing the offer of regional colleges and universities.

Shortlisted as Female Innovator of the Year 2022 during this time, Rosa was then appointed Vice Chair of the national network of Institutes of Technologies and invited to join the Engineering Councils’ Education & Skills Advisory Panel as Deputy Chair to provide a vocational perspective. Rosa was also featured in a campaign for the Department for Education as a role model to encourage more engineers to teach in FE. Recently, Rosa was appointed Chair of the national network of IoTs.

Rosa Wells said: "I would like to thank University College Birmingham for nominating me for the 2024 Top 50 Women in Engineering Awards. Being recognised as a finalist is a tremendous honour. This recognition not only celebrates my personal achievements but also underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion within the engineering field. It underscores University College Birmingham's commitment to advocate for a more inclusive curriculum that reflects the contributions of women and underrepresented groups in engineering."

"By fostering an environment where all students see themselves represented and supported, we can inspire the next generation of engineers and drive innovation through diverse perspectives and collaborative efforts"

Rosa Wells FE Principal and Dean for STEM

The award comes as University College Birmingham receives funding to launch a WorldSkills UK innovation project with the national network of IoTs – bringing the industry together to share ideas and practices in STEM, from digital and advanced manufacturing to net zero, health and life sciences.

This work will be part of the University College Birmingham’s commitment to building a new inclusive engineering curriculum, enhanced by learning and implementing best practice from industry around the world.

A celebration of the top 100 Women in Engineering and International Women in Engineering Day 2024. Photo: Women's Engineering Society

Rosa will spearhead the project, with project leads from IoTs across England (supported by the Gatsby Foundation) benchmarking international best practice and recommending ways in which a national network can learn from this research and implement new ways of working.

Themes include:

How to develop a clear line of sight to work for learners
Improving clarity in vocational and technical education pathways for students and employers
Engaging with schools to effectively promote STEM careers
Preparing students for skills competitions through a co-ordinated national network

Rosa will also be taking a deep dive into gender balance and inclusion in STEM study during the project, set to start this year.

Why not take your skills to the next level with our College courses or out more about the programmes in our School of Engineering, Digital and Sustainable Construction.

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