Dr Lucy Rogers, who graduated with a SECAMS (Engineering) degree and completed her PhD at Lancaster in 2001, will speak to more than 80 Year 8 girls from the North West at the event designed to provide the girls with an experience of computing in a different setting.

The girls, from schools in Lancashire, Cumbria and Yorkshire, will spend the day, on Monday June 27th, at Lancaster University designing, building and programming their own computing project.

Modern engineering and robotics disciplines increasingly require people with significant skills in computing.

Dr Rogers said: “I wish we didn’t have to have these events, but we have so few role models in engineering, especially in the media - (either male or female) that events are needed to let young people know what opportunities exist. Parents and Grandparents often still see engineering as a dirty job, and not a safe one, due to the cuts in UK manufacturing in the 70’s and 80’s. However, I think with a degree in engineering, you can go anywhere and do anything.

“I had a great work-life balance at Lancaster, and was an active member of the canoe club and others. The facilities were great. As I was a sponsored student I worked my summer holidays and year out (between second and third years) at Rolls Royce Industrial Power Group, so I was eased into the world of work while still studying.

“The project management part of the engineering degree has been one of the most useful parts - I use it on a weekly basis on most of my projects - both for clients and for myself. My portfolio career (I do a lot of little jobs for a lot of clients, from Space Debris calculations to making animatronic dinosaurs) progressed from the degree, where I enjoyed the variety.”

The event includes workshops where the girls can attempt to create their own robot, digital music, wearable technology or piece of digital art.