Making Engineering More Inclusive: Visiting Professorship Update

Apologies for the silence since October-the last few months have been a whirlwind!! But I’m back today with an exciting update on the work happening to reshape how engineers approach accessibility and inclusion.

Over the past few months, I’ve had the privilege of joining the University of Huddersfield and Aston University as a Visiting Professor. It’s been an incredible experience, and I’m thrilled to share some of the progress I’ve made.

Inclusive Engineering at Huddersfield and Aston University

In September and October, I was inducted into both universities, where I’ve had the opportunity to introduce students to the critical importance of inclusive engineering. At Huddersfield, I delivered lectures to final-year and first-year students about the profound responsibility we have as designers-especially when it comes to ensuring accessibility in everything we create.

One of the key topics I’ve discussed is the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. While it may not be legally binding in the UK, it is globally recognised and clearly states that designers must ensure accessibility for all. I’ve shared my own experiences to drive this message home-both as an engineer working on electrical systems where accessibility was often overlooked, and as a wheelchair user navigating spaces that weren’t designed with accessibility in mind. Both scenarios, unfortunately, violate the spirit of the UN convention, and I’m committed to pushing for change within the industry.

Workshops and Collaboration at Aston

At Aston University, I led a workshop where I introduced students to inclusive engineering frameworks currently available. We also brainstormed how these frameworks could be embedded into university curricula. By doing so, we aim to ensure that inclusive engineering isn’t just an afterthought-it’s an integral part of every student’s learning experience.

The Challenges of Understanding Disability

One thing that’s become painfully clear is that people without disabilities often struggle to fully grasp what it’s like to live with one. This gap in understanding is something I’m working to change. In the coming years, I’ll be collaborating with universities to improve this, and part of that effort includes conducting interviews with individuals to capture their lived experiences.

Bringing Personal Stories to the forefront.

These interviews will be featured on a website aimed at providing architects and engineers with firsthand accounts of how their designs impact people with disabilities. My goal is simple: to create a person-centred design framework that ensures disabled people—and accessibility as a whole—are always considered in the design process.

Through this work, I’m hopeful that we can build a lasting shift in how technical professionals in the UK approach inclusivity and accessibility. It’s time for change.

Disability Personality of the Year Recognition

I was thrilled to be awarded the prestigious honour of Disability Personality of the Year at the Talks with MS award ceremony in March. This gave me such a boost, to keep doing what I’m doing and really advocating for change within the industry, ensuring that disabled people are considered and recognised in everyday life.