Professor Dame Helen Atkinson DBE FREng has been named as an Engineering Icon on a special Tube Map to mark National Engineering Day (November 1).
The brainchild of the Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) and Transport for London (TFL), the engineering themed version of the iconic London Underground map recognises the pivotal role engineers play in shaping society, with 274 tube and Elizabeth line stations named after leading engineers.
For National Engineering Day, Bounds Green Underground Station on the Piccadilly line has been renamed Dame Helen Atkinson as part of the initiative.
Dame Helen, who is Pro-Vice-Chancellor – Aerospace, Transport and Manufacturing at Cranfield University said: “I am delighted and humbled to be recognised on the Engineering Icons Tube Map for National Engineering Day. A trip to Bounds Green will never be the same again!
"Engineering takes science and makes it a reality, fostering innovation that directly impacts our daily lives. It's crucial for our economy and offers an exciting career option, shaping the future of society. I chaired the national ‘This is Engineering’ social media campaign until recently, one of the most successful social media campaigns of its type in the world. It has had over 64 million video views aiming to encourage young people to consider engineering as a career.”
“Bounds Green is on the Piccadilly Line and the theme for this line for National Engineering Day is Transport, Mobility and Flight. With Cranfield’s global research airport and its exciting work on Transport Systems, Rail Inspection, Hydrogen, Advanced Vehicle Engineering, and Autonomy and AI, I am incredibly proud to lead the School of Aerospace, Transport Systems and Manufacturing at the University. We are right at the heart of the Future of Flight with our research and education on the five A’s: Aerospace of the Future, Airline of the Future, Air Traffic Management of the Future, Airport of the Future and Air Passenger of the Future.”
Formerly known as This is Engineering Day, National Engineering Day highlights the essential contributions of engineers in improving everyday lives and shaping the world around us. National Engineering Day is marked on the first Wednesday in November each year.
Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: “The work of engineers often goes unrecognised, which means many of us have a limited idea of what engineering really is. Today is a day to change that and uncover the stories of ingenuity, teamwork and persistence that have made their mark on the city around us.”
You can view the Engineering Icons Tube Map online.
As part of this year’s events, the Royal Academy of Engineering also ran an #EverydayEngineering competition, inviting the public to release their inner engineer by submitting ideas and creations that aim to make daily life more sustainable.
