AN ONLINE talk is set to highlight the past pioneering work of female engineers from across the region.
‘Scottish engineering – building boilers, cars, ships – and female engineers’ will focus on the stories of women who brought their skills to firms such as Cochran boilermakers in Annan and the Dumfries-based car manufacturer Arrol Johnston in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when skilled labour jobs were largely reserved for men.
The Devil’s Porridge Museum will host the free event this Monday, March 22 on Zoom.
The Eastriggs museum said the webinar “will look at the stories of how such women were trained, worked and ‘formed’ into influential engineers of their time”.
Leading next week’s presentation is Dr Nina Baker, an ex-navy desk officer whose work promoting science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) based careers for females led her to undertake independent research into the history of women in the field.
After departing her role in the navy which she took up upon leaving school, Dr Baker attended the University of Warwick to study engineering before undertaking a PhD in concrete durability with the University of Liverpool. Following this, she moved to Glasgow with her family, where she has since worked as a materials lecturer in further education, a research administrator and, until 2017, an elected City of Glagow councillor.
Attendance is free, however those wishing to be sent a link to the virtual event are required to book beforehand.
Register and find out more about the talk — and future events — by visiting www.devilsporridge.org.uk/free-online-talks.
