Women in Engineering – About
Supporting Women in Engineering
We support female students of many ages in a variety of ways, from camp programs, clubs, conferences and scholarships for elementary and high school students. Through programs such as career exploration and the experiential learning event Go ENG Girl and others, young girls learn how engineering and science can affect our daily lives for the better.
McMaster Women in Engineering Society offers peer-to-peer support, for instance through the Big Sister Little Sister program.
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Women in Engineering Committee
The Women in Engineering Committee is comprised of female faculty members who meet to discuss issues of importance, such as gender parity, how to support young female engineers and to support one another.
As a committee, we want to inspire, mentor and support women to succeed in engineering.
Department of Chemical Engineering, ONWIE chair
On the committee, we ensure that faculty members are involved as role models in outreach activities. We always show strong support in recruiting the next generation of young women who will change the world (and get great jobs).
Finally, we work to improve success for women engineering faculty members.
Alumna Spotlight: Donna Strickland
Donna Strickland (2018 Nobel Prize Winner in Physics Engineering Physics, ‘81)
“When I was a first year in grad school, there were 18 of us in the PhD program, and four of us were women.”
In 2018, Strickland was the first woman to win the Nobel Prize in 55 years and one of only three in the history of the award. She is currently a professor at the University of Waterloo and is part of a team that helped to develop short and intense laser pulses that have created new areas of research and led to broad industrial and medical applications, including lasers used in millions of eye surgeries conducted each year. Since winning, Strickland has found herself spending more time giving talks around the world than doing science. But the prize has awarded her a unique platform.
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Feyisayo Enuiyin
President, National Society of Black Engineering, McMaster Chapter Chemical Engineering student
Cheryl Quennville
Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Liza-Anastasia DiCecco
PhD Materials Science and Engineering
Elizabeth Hassan
Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering
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Women in Engineering – Society
McMaster Women in Engineering Society (WIE)
The McMaster Women in Engineering Society (WIE) strives to create a community where women and non-binary students feel empowered and supported throughout their education. WIE hosts a variety of events open to all engineering students throughout the year ranging from soldering workshops to industry nights and spa nights.
WIE Mentorship Opportunity
The WIE mentorship program matches first years and those new to engineering with upper-year women mentors who can provide guidance and support. WIE additionally conducts community outreach, giving students a chance to go out to local high schools to encourage all women and non-binary persons to consider an education in a STEM field.
Women in Engineering – ONWIE
Ontario Network of Women in Engineering (ONWiE)
The Ontario Network of Women in Engineering (ONWiE) is a network of 27 schools of engineering from across Ontario, and throughout Canada that collectively share resources to encourage young girls and non-binary youth across the country to pursue careers in engineering, as well as support current engineers and students.ONWiE was formed in February 2005 as part of the vision of the NSERC Chair for Women in Science and Engineering held by Professor Valerie Davidson at the University of Guelph.
ONWiE Initiatives
- Go Eng Girl / GÉNiales, les filles programs
- Girl Guide Badge Days
- Go CODE Girl programs
- Collaboration on the new Engendering Success in STEM (ESS) SSHRC Research Grant (2017 – 2024)
- Collection and dissemination of statistics around participation rates in science/math courses in Ontario High Schools, and application rates to engineering programs across Ontario
ONWiE Chair: Kim Jones
Dr. Kim Jones, Associate Chair of Undergraduate Chemical Engineering at McMaster University has been chosen as the Chair for ONWiE from July 2018 – June 2023. Jones is a seasoned diversity champion. She served as a McMaster Engineering Faculty Leadership Fellow from 2016 to 2017 with a focus on improving diversity.
As a Fellow, Jones introduced a writing group for women faculty members, secured parking for those who are pregnant or on parental leave, worked to better understand the needs of underrepresented groups, supported women in engineering student groups and organized workshops for women faculty members. Dr. Jones is also the chair of the McMaster Women in Engineering Committee, a committee that supports women faculty members.
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McMaster Engineering Professor named ONWiE chair
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Women in Engineering – Scholarships
Women in Engineering – Outreach
Virtual Girl Guide
Nearly 16,000 Girl Guides across Canada are engaging with the world of engineering, thanks to a new virtual initiative from McMaster’s Venture Academy.
In September 2020, Venture launched the Virtual Girl Guide Workshops, a series of free recorded videos designed for Sparks, Brownies, Guides and Pathfinders groups. The program has been an instant hit, with more than 800 guiding groups participating from all 10 provinces and territories.
Go CODE Girl
Go CODE Girl is an event hosted by McMaster Engineering to teach coding concepts and projects to young women from Grades 7 to 10 in hopes of inspiring the next generation of women engineers. Go CODE Girl will educate, inspire and equip girls with the digital skills, confidence and resources needed to pursue education in technology, computing and engineering. In the 2020-2021 year, 238 girls were reached in this program.
Synergize for STEM
Synergize for STEM is an annual one day event for high school girls to connect with each other and discover the excitement of engineering in a supportive, collaborative and fun environment. In 2022, nearly 100 students came together on campus for a workshop.
Also in 2022, Venture Academy was awarded with the Actua Experience Award in recognition of achievements within the National Girls program.
Girl and Non-Binary Youth Initiatives
These events take place during different parts of the year and reach a wide range of ages. All programming is free, and offer a diverse set of challenges and opportunities for girls to experience.
Go ENG Girl (Gr.7 to 10)
Go CODE Girl (Gr.7 to 10)
Girl Guides Badge Day
Scholarship for Girls
Women in Engineering – Alumnae
Meet Alumnae from McMaster Engineering
Meet alumnae from McMaster Engineering and learn about the impacts they are making in their fields today.
Lauren Hooper, BEng '21
Chemical Engineering | Juggling internship, degree, and family
Tito Olaleye, BEng '16
Electrical & Biomedical Engineering | Recent grad urges students to keep an open mind
Sahar Kokaly, MASc '08
Software Engineering | Making Tomorrow’s Car Safe
Vivian Esmailzadeh, BTech '17
Biotechnology | The Bridge Between the Test Tube and the Lipstick
Sarah Smith, BEng '07
Electrical & Biomedical Engineering | Big Ideas: Matters of the Heart
Rafia Waraich, BEng Scty '08
Materials Engineering & Society | Inspiring Tomorrow’s Female Engineers
Éloïse Harvey, BEng Mgt '99
Mechanical Engineering & Management | Taking the family business global
Women in Engineering – News
Women in #MacEng
Three Mac Eng women nominated for YWCA Women of Distinction Awards
March 3, 2023
McMaster Engineering Celebrates International Day of Women and Girls in Science
February 11, 2023
Women make up 40 per cent of McMaster Engineering's incoming class
August 31, 2022
In the Media: New Mac engineering dean plans to be ‘role model’
June 28, 2022
Five things you need to know about McMaster Engineering’s new Dean
June 23, 2022
Provost Susan Tighe wins top civil engineering award
May 30, 2022
Award-winning Mac Eng student recognized for women in STEM leadership
May 29, 2022
Strength in diversity: 5 women reflect on advancing the future of mobility
March 8, 2022
Big Ideas are Born at McMaster Engineering
Big Ideas: Getting to the ‘pointe’
April 12, 2018
Big Ideas: A deep dive into diversity
February 12, 2018
