A live webinar celebrating women working towards the future of engineering and science.
At ESR Technology, innovation thrives on diversity. Join us for an inspiring Women in STEM webinar showcasing the experiences, achievements, and insights of women working across our specialist engineering and scientific teams.
This engaging session brings together voices from across ESR Technology to explore what it means to build a career in STEM, how diversity strengthens technical industries, and what we can do collectively to create more inclusive workplaces.
Date: Wednesday 28th January 2026
Time: 10 AM – 11 AM
Location: Microsoft Teams
What You’ll Learn
- Real career journeys from women working across ESR’s engineering teams
- The barriers and opportunities women encounter in STEM roles
- How diversity drives innovation in high-tech sectors
- Practical guidance for early-career professionals, students, and aspiring engineers
- How ESR Technology supports an inclusive culture across all business units
Meet the Speakers
Aaina Cooke — Senior Consultant, National Centre of Tribology
Short bio: Aaina Cooke is a Senior Consultant at ESR Technology, working across reverse engineering, materials investigations, and metrology-led assessments in the rail industry. She holds an MEng in Medical Engineering and has previously worked in automotive, aerospace, and defence, giving her a broad foundation in high-reliability engineering.
Her interest in STEM began early, influenced by her father’s engineering background and a curiosity for how things work. Throughout her career, she has navigated the realities familiar to many early-career engineers — building confidence, adapting to new environments, and learning from diverse and experienced teams.
In her session, she will share an honest, practical look at shaping a STEM career, from transitioning out of university to developing professionally across different sectors. She will reflect on the importance of resilience, informal mentorship, and finding a career pace that feels authentic, especially through major life transitions such as returning to work post-maternity.
Laura Imeson — Graduate Safety & Risk Consultant, Safety and Risk Management
Short bio: Laura Imeson is a Graduate Safety and Risk consultant who recently joined ESR Technology. Her STEM journey began at a very young age; she was always curious about how and why things worked, but made it official when she decided to study Physics at the University of Liverpool, encouraged by her female A-level Physics teacher.
After graduating, Laura began her career at ESR Technology, where she is now delving into new areas of STEM, with a mind just as fascinated as when she was three, exploring the world.
In this webinar, Laura will share why being a young woman in STEM has been such a fulfilling and rewarding experience, including what she has learnt along the way, and some projects she has contributed to at ESR Technology so far.
Dr Patricia Conder – Principal Consultant, NDT and Inspection Consultancy
Short bio: Patricia has a multi-faceted background having worked in a range of sectors including electronics (thermal imaging), chemicals (making textile fibres from trees), pulp and paper (visiting sweetie wrapping factories), before entering the inspection and non-destructive testing field (ultrasound testing of rusty pipes) after a career break (for children). Her current focus is the data science of inspection, combining planning and results to enable a greater insight into the underlying corrosion mechanisms.
Patricia has an honours degree in Physics from the University of Aberdeen and a PhD in Materials Science from the University of Birmingham.
In her presentation, Patricia will talk about her non-linear career path to illustrate that you can make core skills and scientific skills work for you, as well as direct relevant experience. She will also touch on returning after a career break and how the industries she has worked in have changed for women.
Who Should Attend
- Students considering careers in engineering or science
- Early-career professionals in STEM
- Educators, mentors, and industry representatives
- Anyone passionate about diversity and representation in technical sectors
Why Attend
This webinar offers practical insight, honest discussion, and real experiences from women working in highly specialised engineering roles. Whether you’re exploring a future in STEM or championing diversity in your organisation, this session will leave you informed and inspired.