14/03/2022
Dr Paul Loustalan interviews Dr Bernardette Longridge, Engineering Centre Manager at AVL in the UK. Paul has known Bernie for many years, having been in the same IC Engines research group at UCL, albeit at different times, and was delighted that she agreed to be interviewed for Women’s History Month.
Why did you get into engineering?
I have always, from a very young age, been extremely interested in how things work, how things are put together and how they’re made. One of my earliest memories is wanting to take things apart, understand how they work and then put them back together again. I could always be found discovering new items in my Dad’s toolbox wanting to learn how to use them in order to make something that moved and worked.
I regularly watched a Saturday morning show with University students trying to solve problems through design . Watching this show excited but also scared me, I didn’t really understand what they were discussing but I was keen to find out.
I have three older brothers who, growing up, would always be stripping engines down and putting them back together. There was a natural interest and creativity with this process, and I suppose my brothers indirectly influenced me, in their passion for cars. I wanted to be a part of this and really understand how engines worked and why they were designed in the way they were.
At the time of my A Levels I was unsure what I wanted to do. While doing my research I came across engineering, despite my teachers having no knowledge of what this was, they actively encouraged me to reach out to different Universities to learn more. So, I did just that, found it interesting and thought I would give it a go. So it’s as much and as little as that.
So, did any of your brothers enter the engineering world?
No none of my brothers entered engineering and engineering doesn’t run in our family at all. Even on an academic level in school, nobody had a real grasp of what engineering was – I went to an all-girls school with no formal careers advice, apart from a large bookcase of booklets to read at your own disposal. I had that natural interest in engineering, and although nobody actively encouraged me, at the same time, nobody discouraged me. My parents were supportive in that they gave me the freedom to choose what I wanted to pursue.
Do you think your life could have been easier, had your school had better materials for careers choices?
I feel lucky in the sense that I fell into engineering and have loved it. I had enough background interest, that when I came across a booklet on engineering, I wanted to know more. Without that backdrop, I can imagine, a lot of people would pass a career in engineering by without even a thought..
The opportunities to learn about engineering when I was at school was extremely limited. Had engineering been more mainstream and accessible, at the time, perhaps a higher number of people in my school community would have pursued engineering. Looking back now, the Saturday morning programmes I watched as a child were televised on a channel hardly anyone watched and were very dry – I am sure most children would have turned it off after two minutes.
However, there has definitely been progress since I was at school. At my eight year old’s school, they already have engineering projects which are linked to Universities such as Imperial College; one example is pre-pandemic, Imperial College students would talk to the children on different passenger car propulsion technologies such as batteries and how an electric vehicle works. Alongside this the children were given a project to physically work on across an academic year with competitions between different schools. It is actively encouraged that both boys and girls partake in this – no divisional barrier just a collective group of children working on a project. It’s a world of difference from when I attended primary school.
What advice would you give to girls who are interested in entering a STEM based profession?
Just do it. If you are honestly interested in it and you have the aptitude, then do it. Don’t allow hesitations of whether you are capable stop you from even trying. Remove any challenges that might arise from your mind, including the fact it is a male dominated industry. Rather focus on taking ownership of your work well and aspire to do your very best – if you do this, no matter what route you later decide to take, STEM or otherwise, you will succeed.
Another piece of advice would be to not take things personally, if you face a challenge in a STEM role, or any role for that matter, it’s not necessarily because you are a woman. Life is full of challenges.
Do you think there are stereotypes of women in this industry – are they helpful or unhelpful?
I can only speak from personal experience, but I don’t think there is a stereotype of a female engineer. My ability to do something at work has never been questioned because of my gender, it has always been an honest working conversation to find out what I am capable of and how I can reach my full potential and also of course support the goals and strategies of the company. I think the problem is more that within the UK the term ‘engineer’ is used very loosely which can affect others perception of what an engineer is. This can be off-putting, especially for women. The title ‘Engineer’ should be protected in the UK, as it is in other countries such as Germany, as for me that’s the biggest stumbling block for women, or anyone, entering the industry as they have a misconception of what an engineer is.
I think if, as an industry, we focus on promoting what engineering truly is and focus on the merits and career paths of engineering, this would be of great benefit .
More on the idea of the protecting the ‘Engineer’ title – apart from petitioning to IMechE, and the Government, is there anything else that can be done to help the cause?
It needs to start from the ground up, better exposure to the truths of engineering from primary school through to higher education across the country. The language used in engineering across different curriculums in the country is quite messy, a stricter approach on language involving engineering needs to be streamlined.
The strict language approach must be adopted in government policies too for clarity, consistency on how apprenticeships, University qualifications etc. are defined is important.
What has your career progression looked like so far?
I studied Mechanical Engineering at UCL, I took one year out, then returned to do my PHD which was sponsored by Ford Motor Company. My PhD focussed on a new fuelling system for a 1.4L gasoline engine.
Towards the end of my PhD, I made a point to really consider what aspects of my PhD I enjoyed and wanted to move forward with in my career, if possible. I noticed it was the design aspects of making things and problem solving that I gravitated to, rather than the development/ testing side.
My first job was with Caterpillar Group as a design engineer – here I was very fortunate to work with a fantastic group of people. The timing felt very fortunate, as they were at the beginning of developing a new 4L engine, taking it from concept phase into production. My responsibilities were to design the valve train, and elements of the crank train. After this I moved to the research area to develop different types of cylinder heads. I was in a group of 50 of which three were women yet I felt no challenges connected to my gender, rather it was a group of professionals working in a professional manner in a professional environment.
Afterwards I worked for Ford Motor Company, and I was involved in the launch of the 1.6L Fiesta diesel engine, with PSA. I worked as a liaison engineer supporting the working collaboration between Ford and PSA I shared a lot of my time with the production plant in Germany, where I gained knowledge around launching an engine and vehicle.
In 2005 I joined AVL, which is where I am now. My progression at AVL started as a Design Engineer, Team Leader, Program Manager, Departmental Leader and now Engineering Centre Manager.
One of the largest projects I ran as a Program Manager was on a project for Ford Motor Company, to develop a 2L GTDI engine. This was a massive step up for me, professionally, and the size of the project was a real stretch. Three AVL locations were involved; UK (I was responsible for the design and component work in the UK), Germany and Austria, the client was based in the UK and Germany and the product was made in Valencia – so a lot to coordinate. The completion of this project is a definite career highlight, to witness the product go to production, on time, within budget and to the standard that was required was a proud moment.
Now as an Engineering Centre Manager I am responsible for one of the engineering offices in the UK. Our recent focus has been building up capability in the new technologies. Historically most of our work has been on internal combustion engines, gasoline and diesel, with the shift in technology we have now moved to hydrogen and BEV’s. These are exciting times.
Do you have any goals for the future?
With the introduction of new technologies, I am thoroughly enjoying the present. It feels like a whole new world, and it’s not just about fuel and selling a vehicle but rather the wider energy infrastructure.
I hope I am now in a position to help influence the infrastructures that enable the new technologies, both with AVL but also on a wider platform, for example through my work with the Automotive Council. Working towards how we can get the most out of all technologies, for our consumers but also the world.
On a personal note, what can I do as a parent to show my daughter that STEM professions can be for her?
Encouragement is key. If you recognise an interest then take the time to encourage it and explore it with your child. But also expose them to STEM topics and how they influence the world around us. Trips to the science museums for sure and taking any opportunity to engage with your daughter. Make it fun and exciting and give them the information so that when the time comes, she will have to confidence to choose for herself.
Finally, what would your ten-year-old self think of where you are now?
I was always quite a timid child so I think she would be pleasantly surprised and pleased. As a child I disliked ever talking in front of people and I think my younger self would be shocked to discover I now do this regularly in my job.
If I had to give a piece of advice to my younger self, it would definitely be to believe in myself and not be shackled by my own insecurities.
This article is for general information only. Its content is not a statement of the law on any subject and does not constitute advice. Please contact Reddie & Grose LLP for advice before taking any action in reliance on it.
