Blog UK Commission for Employment and Skills

Lucy Collins

Naval Architect, Ministry of Defence, London
Currently on secondment to University College London completing a PhD and specialising in submarine design

I’m a Naval Architect for the Ministry of Defence. I specialise in submarine design and am on secondment to University College London completing a part time PhD as well as managing the experimental facilities and helping to run the MSc in Naval Architecture and the Submarine Design Course (only one of its kind in the world). I have a First Class MEng degree in Civil and Structural Engineering from the University of Sheffield and an MSc in Naval Architecture from UCL, passed with Distinction. I am an Associate Member of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects, a Lt Constructor in the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors and a student member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers (I’m also the Chair and founder of the first student section of this society in the UK).

I want to get involved because I am very passionate about the subject of WISE and want to make a difference! From a background of attending both an ‘all girls’ secondary school and sixth form college I entered a very male-dominated profession and each step I have taken has been into a more male dominated environment. As such, I have first-hand experience of helping to pave the way for women in engineering – e.g. I was recently the first female civilian to do sea time in a submarine. I take the opportunity to promote Engineering as a career to girls whenever I can, which I have been doing for the past 4 years but I would like the chance to contribute on a greater scale.

I would be successful on the WYWB not only due to my career experience so far but my natural attributes of; speaking and writing clearly and concisely with passion and enthusiasm, plus my continued dedication and commitment to the education of others and the advancement of WISE in both my personal and professional life.