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Arup proud to support I Wish 2021 virtual STEM showcase

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Clare O'Loughlin Clare O'Loughlin Europe Press Office, Ireland
1 March 2021

Arup remains a committed supporter of this year’s virtual I Wish conference in Ireland, with thousands of students already registered for this Thursday’s event. The showcase aims to encourage secondary school girls to consider how they could use STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) to shape a better world.

Going online to accommodate a virtual audience amid the ongoing pandemic restrictions, the free event has so far attracted more than 10,000 registrations globally, in a fantastic example of how technology is helping to remove geographic boundaries and enabling attendance from schools worldwide.

Girl looking at computer monitor with I Wish stage showing on the screen. Girl looking at computer monitor with I Wish stage showing on the screen.

Arup is a key partner of the showcase event, which will provide insights into what it means to work in STEM through a combination of keynote speeches, informal talks and panel discussions. Six of our colleagues will speak to the girls about their careers and the opportunities STEM provides to deliver creative solutions to our world’s most-pressing challenges, from biodiversity loss to the need to reduce carbon emissions.

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This past year has highlighted the vital contribution made by all STEM workers. I hope my story will showcase how STEM careers can impact society for the better and help all these young women realise the vital role they too can play in creating a more resilient future, in shaping a better world. ” Marie Fleming Marie Fleming Associate Director

A chartered engineering geologist and leader of our Applied Geology team in Europe, Marie Fleming will be Arup’s keynote speaker, discussing her career path, why she chose engineering geology and the ways they too could get involved in shaping the world around us.

Pooky Mitchell will deliver one of the informal slots, sharing 10 fast facts about her career as an intelligent mobility consultant. Pooky will share the most useful advice she has received during her career to date and will show how STEM provides young women with endless opportunities to make a difference in themselves and in the world.

Una O’Grady, Treasa Jones, Leanne Dicker and Marta Carrara will take part in a panel discussion about their careers in engineering, where they will chat about the importance of following your passions and choosing a career where you can make an impact.

Arup is proud to have supported I Wish since it began in 2015 and remains committed to creating a diverse working environment. We are involved in many other initiatives promoting STEM, including our Transition Year programme (email [email protected] to enquire about booking a place on this year’s virtual programme), STEPS to Engineering and the ESTeEM mentoring programme.