Born: 1983 (Mumbai, India)
Biography:
Roma Agrawal MBE FICE HonFREng is an Indian-British-American chartered structural engineer based in London. She has worked on several major engineering projects, including the Shard. Agrawal is also an author and a diversity campaigner, championing women in engineering.
Early life and education
Agrawal was born in 1983 in Mumbai, India, before moving to London. She spent over five years living in Ithaca, New York and became an American citizen. Agrawal later returned to London to complete her A-Levels at North London Collegiate School. She showed an early enthusiasm for engineering, which she attributes to her love of making and breaking things, cultivated through playing with Lego as a child.
Agrawal’s entry into engineering was inspired by a summer placement at the Oxford Physics Department, where she worked alongside engineers designing particle detectors for CERN. This experience sparked her interest and led her to pursue a career in the field.
Career
In 2005, Agrawal joined Parsons Brinckerhoff (later called WSP) on a graduate program. She became a chartered engineer with the Institution of Structural Engineers in 2011. Agrawal spent six years working on the Shard, the tallest building in Western Europe. Her contributions to the project included designing the foundations and the iconic spire. Agrawal considers her work on the Shard to be a highlight of her career, recognizing the rarity of such projects. The construction of the 1,016-foot tall structure required implementing a top-down construction methodology, which had never been done before on a building of this scale. Agrawal also played a significant role in the modular construction of the spire, allowing for efficient assembly at height in central London.
In addition to the Shard, Agrawal worked on other notable projects such as Crystal Palace Station and the Northumbria University Footbridge during her time with WSP. She worked for the company for ten years before joining Interserve as a Design Manager in November 2015. In May 2017, Agrawal took on the role of Associate Director at AECOM.
Apart from her engineering achievements, Agrawal is also an accomplished author. She has written the book Built: The Hidden Stories Behind Our Structures. In this book, she explores the fascinating stories of the engineers who shaped our world. Agrawal is passionate about making engineering accessible and engaging, especially for young people, and is actively involved in public engagement and promoting the profession.
Awards:
– 2011: Institution of Structural Engineers Young Structural Engineer of the Year
– 2013: BDO’s British Indian Awards Best in Science & Engineering Winner
– 2014: Women in Construction Awards Engineer of the Year
– 2015: Association for Consultancy and Engineering Diamond Award for Engineering Excellence
– 2017: Institution of Structural Engineers Lewis Kent Award
– 2017: Royal Academy of Engineering Rooke Award for Public Promotion of Engineering
In recognition of her contributions to the field of engineering and her dedication to promoting diversity and women in the industry, Agrawal was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 2018. She was also honored as a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers in 2018 and elected an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2021.
Roma Agrawal’s remarkable journey as a chartered structural engineer, author, and advocate for diversity in engineering has not only left a profound impact on the field but has also paved the way for future generations of women in STEM. Her dedication to excellence, passion for engineering, and commitment to breaking stereotypes continue to inspire and empower individuals around the world.