ENGINEER FROM GLASGOW ON MISSION TO MAKE SWIMMING INCLUSIVE

Ellen Harper from Glasgow has been chosen to feature in a national campaign showcasing how engineers are on a mission to make the world a better place.

The product design engineer for Poolpod is one of just five engineers from across the UK handpicked to front #EngineerOnAMission for Tomorrow’s Engineers Week 2019.

Ellen, 22, was selected for her work on the Poolpod, which provides dignified access to swimming pools for those with restricted mobility. As part of her role, Ellen is currently designing more products that aim to offer people more independence.

As an Engineer on a Mission, Ellen became the star of a film that highlights the impact engineers have on making the nation more inclusive. The film will be shown to 50,000 students at the Tomorrow’s Engineers Week Big Assembly tomorrow (6 November).

Explaining why she chose a career in engineering, Ellen said:

“I’ve always loved doing things that were creative and arty but I’m also quite an analytical person. I didn’t really know about product design engineering until a teacher suggested it could provide the perfect balance.

“I love that I get to design for people. That’s what I get a kick from, you get to see the impact you’re having on people’s lives and when you design with people in mind, it means you want to make the product the best it can be.”

Dr Hilary Leevers, CEO at EngineeringUK, the organisers of Tomorrow’s Engineers Week, commented:

“We want every young person to see that engineering offers a varied, stimulating and rewarding career.

“The UK needs tens of thousands more engineers and Tomorrow’s Engineers Week provides an opportunity for the engineering community to work together to inspire the next generation of engineers to meet this demand.

“We’re delighted to have the opportunity to share Ellen’s mission, to create inclusive products, with thousands of potential future engineers.”

Further highlights of the Week include the first This is Engineering Day on Wednesday 6 November, challenging the public stereotype of the engineer and the second Tomorrow’s Engineers Week Big Assembly, which will see over 50,000 pupils taking part in the same assembly, at the same time.