Inaugural Lecture: Visiting Professor Mark McBride-Wright

Engineering impacts everything around us. Indeed, it (probably) played a critical role in that ‘stuff’ being created. Engineers have been behind the inventions and discoveries that have led to the biggest shifts in our histories. Today, our work as engineers continues to impact how we problem solve solutions to today’s pertinent problems and opportunities. Engineers work in high-risk work environments. Safety is a cornerstone of our culture. Ensuring the protection of our people, plant and property.

How we have done our engineering, and who we have doing our engineering is an ever-important focus for our profession.

Mark is a technical safety engineer by profession, and his research interests lie in improving psychological safety in engineering teams. Are we best leveraging the familiarity that engineers have with physical safety as a core tenet to embed the benefits of a diverse and inclusive profession?

For this inaugural talk of Mark’s Visiting Professorship, he will share his journey to date working on technical safety projects before transitioning into projects focussed more on the culture of teams. He will pull on his experiences as an engineer, as a founder of a not-for-profit organisation, InterEngineering, and as an entrepreneur running his business EqualEngineers. He will share a vision for change for the profession (which will form part of his focus during his time at UCL) which everyone can get behind in order to have the impact which is needed to diversify who we have doing our engineering, and how we do it.

Biography

Mark McBride-Wright, PhD, CEng, MIChemE is a recognised diversity and inclusion leader. He is the recipient of the prestigious Rooke Award in July 2022 from the Royal Academy of Engineering for his work in promoting engineering to the public, and he is a Visiting Professor of Inclusive Engineering Leadership at University College London.

He is Founder and Managing Director of EqualEngineers, a company offering a wide array of diversity & inclusion consultancy and training services, as well as creative events. Mark has delivered over 30 Engineering & Technology careers fairs since 2017 connecting over 10,000 diverse opportunity-seekers with over 100 inclusive employers. Mark also founded the Equality in Engineering conference, and the Engineering Talent Awards, and established the Masculinity in Engineering research theme leading to a new way to deliver more impactful positive interventions on organisational culture change. EqualEngineers has trained thousands of engineers on creating inclusive cultures from front line leaders and operatives to senior leadership and executive teams. Clients include EDF Energy, McLaren Racing, Eurostar, GKN Aerospace, Institution of Mechanical Engineers amongst others.

Mark is also Chair and Co-Founder of InterEngineering, a non-profit industry body that connects, informs and empowers LGBT+ engineers and supporters. In recognition of his diversity work, Mark won the coveted 'Corporate Rising Star' award at the 2016 British LGBT Awards and was ranked #2 in the 2015 Financial Times Future LGBT Leaders list (#6 in 2016). In addition, he was 'Highly Commended' at the Inclusive Networks Awards (2015), shortlisted for the 'Corporate Equality Award' by PinkNews (2016).

He has worked with many Fortune 50 companies on D&I programs and talent engagement strategies and has also authored a white paper for the UK Government on tackling homophobic, biphobic and transphobic bullying in engineering. Mark is a Chartered Engineer (IChemE) by training with a focus on health and safety, having worked at KBR Inc (2013-2017) and ERM (2012-2013) before pursuing his work in diversity. He also holds a doctorate (PhD) in chemical engineering at Imperial College London (2009-2013).

This lecture will run 6-7.30pm, followed by a drinks reception.