Institution news
Spearheaded by the University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor and IMechE Fellow Professor Helen James, the newly-opened Verena Holmes Building provides dedicated and multi-disciplinary spaces for researchers, students, academics and industry figures across all STEM disciplines to learn and collaborate, fulfilling both educational and business needs both regionally and nationally.
Speaking in an interview with the University, Professor James was delighted that the new space reflects the values and vision of a pioneering female engineer, who was born in nearby Ashford and was the first female to be elected as a member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers in 1924.
"Fundamental to our vision is equality, inclusion and diversity. We are passionate about opening up engineering to shine a light on how engineers and scientists are contributing to our daily lives, our world and our own region," she explained.
Equally important is the location of these facilities in the South East, providing more opportunities to nurture and grow both young engineering talent and support engineering businesses operating in the region.
“The education landscape showed that young people left the region to study mechanical engineering not surprisingly because Kent had no offer,” she explained. “On graduating, these young people didn’t return to Kent because they were being employed where they were studying; in essence there was a brain drain out of Kent.”
The development of the building also highlighted common challenges for regional businesses and the successful example of Verena Holmes might inspire more women to take up a career in STEM subjects.
“Businesses were crying out for graduates in engineering and were passionate about attracting a more diverse workforce. They recognised we needed to expand the pool of young people going into STEM and women were crucial to this as were men who had typically been put off by traditional perceptions of engineering.”
For more information on the opening, please visit the Canterbury Christ Church website.
The Institution of Mechanical Engineers also organises an award that bears Verena Holmes' name as part of the annual Prestige Awards, which seeks to celebrate the innovation that comes from diversity. Applications are open until 31 March 2021 for this year's awards, to find out more and how to apply visit the Awards Page.