INWED 2023; Alison Campbell

What inspired you to get into engineering?

My middle school science teacher showed me how the natural world, which I loved to be in, was being effect by Climate Change. From then on I wanted to be part of the solution to saving the outdoor spaces I loved. In high school I was shown how engineering could allow me to use my creative skills, while also using my need for structure and solid reasoning to help create solutions to how we use material, energy and water in a more efficient manner. This was solidified by my cousin taking me to an energy to waste plant he was working on and I was sold on engineering!

Tell us a bit about your career background and how you got into engineering?

I wanted to be an engineer since before I could apply to University. I loved making things and saw all the cool projects my cousin was working on. I went to Heriot-Watt University and gained a Masters degree in Chemical Engineering with Energy Engineering. After university I found myself working for the drinks company William Grant & Sons, where I completed a 3-year graduate program. This was an amazing experience working in their Project Engineering, Maintenance and Continuous Improvement teams. My heart was still set on wanting to be more directly involved in reducing emissions and being more efficient, which is when I looked to join Synergie Environ. Here I have been helping a range of companies understand their carbon footprint and what improvements they can make.

What excites you most about your current role and why?

I love the challenge of understanding how a company or process works and then being able to help review improvements. It's nice to see there are tangible changes we can make to reduce our impact on the planet, and means I'm finally working towards my childhood goal of helping save the natural world I first fell in love with as a child.

How do you feel the business helps support you and other females in engineering roles?

It’s an inclusive environment and both male and female engineers are presented with the same opportunities in terms of funding professional membership etc.

What do you feel the future of the profession for women is in engineering; is it headed in the right direction, what changes do you want to see?

I think some major breakthroughs in technology are going to come from unlocking the brains of more young women. I think engineering is slowly heading in the right direction in terms of including women, but it would be nice to see more upper management roles being filled by women. It would be nice to ensure that the stigma of having to pick between home life and work life is fully removed and that you can have both.

Finally who is your hero / inspiration??

Jane Goodall!