Dr Whittow has become the first ever recipient of the award, which recognises his extraordinary efforts to support female colleagues and students.

He has actively addressed the imbalance of women in engineering by supporting the University’s Athena Swan initiative, engaging school students with presentations on engineering as well as promoting the º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ Women’s Engineering society. He was nominated for the award by four of his colleagues.

Sarah Peers, Vice President of WES and chair of the judging panel said: “Our first ever Men as Allies award winner is the tweeter-par-excellence Dr Will Whittow, lecturer at º¬Ðß²ÝÊÓƵ. He not only impressed us with his advocacy of women in engineering and the reach he has achieved, but he inspired not only one but four separate nominations!”

Dr Whittow received his award on Thursday 5 October in London.

Of winning this award Dr Whittow said: “I’m genuinely delighted and honoured to win this award. There are so many incredible people who work tirelessly to promote women in engineering.

“Engineers will imagine, engineer and develop the next generation of Intelligent transport and manufacturing; advanced communications; healthcare for an ageing population; renewable energy for the planet; robotics for virtually everything; and so much more.

“Engineering is everything and for everyone. We need to inspire all the talent to engineer a better world.”