Women in Engineering initiative opens with iPlayer event

The BBC Academy is launching its BBC Women in Engineering initiative with an evening event on 13 June focusing on the technical challenges of building the BBC iPlayer - one of the UK’s largest on-demand media services. 

Featuring presentations from leading experts on the BBC iPlayer team, including BBC Future Media’s general manager of programmes and on demand, Daniel Danker, and head of media services Marina Kalkanis, the evening includes a panel discussion and the chance to network with guests and speakers.

It is the first of three planned BBC Women in Engineering events, with the next slated for 24 September. Aimed specifically at supporting women in the broadcast and technology sectors, they form part of a broader campaign to share BBC best practice with the industry and initiate discussions around technological challenges.

“Women remain an under-represented group in broadcast engineering,” said event organiser and BBC Academy Centre of Technology trainer Aradhna Tayal. “These events should allow them to meet other women in the industry and learn more about some of the most relevant technical challenges around in the field today.

“The talks will be technical and relevant to broadcast engineering professionals. Although the majority of our speakers and audience happen to be women, we’re not specifically looking at what it’s like to be a woman in the industry.”

The Academy is also planning a series of events for young people under the Women in Engineering banner. Taking place across the UK, the afternoon sessions will introduce school pupils aged 14 to 16 to engineering, software development and technology roles in the media industry.

The aim is to encourage students with an interest in science and computing to consider pursuing these interests at A-Level and beyond, in an effort to address current skills gaps. Like their adult counterparts, the events for young people are open to all, but with a target of at least 50% female attendance.

Women in Engineering is being delivered in partnership with Talent 2030, Everywoman, the Women’s Engineering Society, UK Research Council, Women into Science, Engineering & Technology and Women in Technology, with support from STEMNET and Young Rewired State.

The 13 June event is currently sold out, but will be filmed and made available on the Academy YouTube channel.