Teesside University Dean joins group to celebrate women in industry

A Teesside University Dean is at the forefront of a new regional network which is aiming to raise the profile and visibility of women in computing and engineering.

Professor Chrisina Jayne, Dean in the School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies at Teesside University, has joined the newly formed North East Women in Engineering and Computing network (NEW-ECN) which launches today (23 June) on National Women in Engineering Day.

Professor Jayne joined Teesside University in 2019 after previously holding the role of Head of the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics at Oxford Brookes University, and holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics and an MSc in Mathematics and Informatics from Sofia University, Bulgaria.

The NEW-ECN has been set up by female academics across five universities including Durham University, Teesside University, Newcastle University, Northumbria University, and the University of Sunderland.

The group will create a regional network that delivers professional development, provides careers advice, supports female academics to engage with industry, and raises the prominence of women in engineering and computing.

Professor Jayne said: ‘The purpose of this network is to highlight the importance of women in the computing and engineering sector and let people know that there are no barriers to achieving success in this field.

‘I am proud to be representing Teesside University and looking forward to making a difference and breaking down barriers.’

The NEW-ECN launch date of 23 June coincides with International Women In Engineering day which, this year, has a theme of ‘Inventors and Innovators’ to raise awareness of female investors who have changed lives across the world.

Events will be taking place across the globe on International Women in Engineering Day and celebrated on twitter via #INWED22.

To kick off the introduction of the NEW-ECN group, female engineers and computer scientists from regional universities, industry and local government have gathered for a workshop and networking event.

The event, sponsored by TVCA and IUK, took place at TWI’s NDT Research Centre located next to Teesside University’s Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre which is currently under construction.

In addition, Teesside University’s School of Computing, Engineering & Digital Technologies is offering a bespoke Women in Engineering Research Fellowship opportunity.

The Research Fellowship is open to early career female researchers from China, Nigeria, Malaysia and Hungry to work in the University’s Centre for Sustainable Engineering.

The role will support the AMOGO-Biochar project which is a UK-China-BRI project funded by the British Council.

Deadline for applications is 20 July and, for an informal discussion about the Women in Engineering Research Fellowship, please email Dr Tannaz Pak, t.pak@tees.ac.uk or Dr Donglai Xu, d.xu@tees.ac.uk.

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