Biography:
Dawn Bonfield MBE FREng FICE FIStructE FIMMM FWES is a renowned materials engineer and a champion for diversity and inclusion in the field of engineering. As the founder and director of Towards Vision, her aim is to create a future where engineering embraces diversity and welcomes everyone. With an illustrious career spanning various prestigious organizations, Bonfield has made significant contributions to the field of materials engineering.
Bonfield began her journey as a materials engineer after studying materials science at Bath University. She gained invaluable experience working at AERE Harwell, the Citroen Research Centre in Paris, British Aerospace in Bristol, MBDA in Stevenage, and the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining in London. Her expertise and dedication to her craft led to her appointment as a Visiting Professor of Inclusive Engineers at Aston University in 2017. In this role, she developed undergraduate content on inclusive engineering, equipping the next generation of engineers with the skills and competencies needed to promote inclusivity.
In 2017, Bonfield co-founded IncEng, a platform that aims to unite underrepresented groups in engineering. Her commitment to improving the representation of women in engineering led her to join the council of the Women’s Engineering Society in 2011. As the President from 2014 and the CEO from 2015, she has been instrumental in advancing the mission of the society. Bonfield’s desire to inspire the next generation of female engineers led her to establish the Magnificent Women schools outreach project and website, as well as the Sparxx project, which supports STEM students.
Bonfield is not only an exceptional engineer but also an influential activist. In 2014, she founded National Women in Engineering Day, a celebration aimed at raising awareness and inspiring women to pursue careers in engineering. Additionally, in 2015, she established the prestigious 50 Women in Engineering List in collaboration with the Daily Telegraph.
As a passionate STEM ambassador, Bonfield has dedicated her time and expertise to promoting engineering and materials in schools. She actively engages with young students, encouraging them to pursue careers in these fields. Her tireless efforts to champion diversity and inclusion in engineering have earned her numerous awards and accolades.
Awards:
– WISE Award (2015) for the INWED campaign
– Association Congress Award (2015) for the INWED campaign
– SEMTA Skills Diversity Award (2016)
– Finalist in the Airbus GEDC Diversity Award (2016)
– Women’s Business Council STEM ‘Starting Out’ award (2017)
– MBE (2016) for ‘Services to the promotion of diversity in engineering’
Dawn Bonfield’s contributions to the field of engineering, her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion, and her tireless efforts to inspire future generations make her an extraordinary figure in the history of women’s achievements in STEM. Her work continues to pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse engineering industry.