On September 26th, 2024, GKN Aerospace, partner in the CAELESTIS project, organized a workshop in Gothenburg, Sweden titled Building the Future: Engineering Roles Explained. The event brought together not only women from the CAELESTIS project but also from the Connected Women Network of GKN, to discuss their roles in engineering and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics).
This event aimed to address gender balance in engineering, showcasing how the CAELESTIS project actively integrates gender dimensions in its communication and dissemination activities. There were five women presenters: Nouhaila Bouhout from RTDS Group, responsible for dissemination & communication in CAELESTIS; Verónica Mantecón López, Giota Lilli, Leila Drevik-Kalmertun and Estelle Castanet. They all showcased their expertise, roles, and the steps being taken to promote gender balance in their work environments and the CAELESTIS project.
This event was more than just an exchange of ideas; it was an inspiring look into how these women are not only contributing to the aviation industry but also working towards integrating the gender dimension into communication and project management activities.
Verónica Mantecón López – AIMEN Technology Center and CAELESTIS coordinator
Verónica Mantecón López, a Project Manager at AIMEN, presented her role in project management within engineering and research and in ensuring the efficient and effective completion of R&D projects. AIMEN is a multi-sector Innovation and Technology Centre that has been pushing the boundaries of materials, advanced manufacturing processes, digitization, and sustainability for over 50 years. With over 250 R&D projects, AIMEN is a driver of innovation.
Verónica’s presentation focused on the importance of project management (PM) in driving the success of complex projects. What is project management? Verónica highlighted the PM triangle: scope, time and cost. She emphasized that efficient project management ensures clear objectives, optimal resource usage, and risk mitigation, all while keeping the project on schedule and within budget.
In her role at CAELESTIS, she is responsible for liaising with the European Commission, ensuring the timely submission of deliverables, monitoring progress and managing stakeholders. What is the main challenge with project management, however? According to Verónica, balancing technical demands with leadership, and how project managers often wear multiple hats—acting as leaders, problem-solvers, and motivators.
AIMEN’s commitment to gender balance is reflected in their staff composition, with 40% women in a traditionally male-dominated sector. Verónica stressed the importance of having female project managers in leadership positions to influence the decision-making processes, drive innovation, and act as role models for future generations of women in STEM.
Nouhaila Bouhout – RTDS Group and CAELESTIS dissemination & communication lead
Nouhaila Bouhout, Communication Manager at RTDS Group, highlighted the significance of communication and dissemination in promoting gender balance within the CAELESTIS project.
RTDS Group is responsible for enabling the uptake of the project’s results to achieve scientific, societal, economic and technological impact. This includes executing tailored dissemination and exploitation measures while communicating CAELESTIS solutions and engaging users.
Key Points highlighted in her intervention:
- Strategic Communication: Nouhaila discussed the importance of strategic activities aimed at promoting the project’s objectives to a broad audience, including the media and general public. Effective communication should highlight how EU funding addresses societal challenges, with a particular focus on gender equality.
- Dissemination Goals: The main goals of dissemination include raising awareness among potential users, interacting with stakeholders, transferring knowledge, and ensuring the broad applicability of project results. These activities are crucial for fostering wider acceptance and engagement in engineering fields.
- Promoting Gender Balance in Communication:
- Using inclusive language and imagery in all materials.
- Ensuring equal representation in events and conferences.
- Highlighting gender-specific contributions within the project.
- Promoting gender equality through partnerships and outreach efforts.
Giota Lilli – EBOS Technologies and CAELESTIS partner
Giota Lilli, R&D Project Manager at EBOS Technologies, provided a comprehensive overview of EBOS’s role in the CAELESTIS project. EBOS is a key player in developing robust cybersecurity mechanisms for the project’s hyperconnected simulation environment. This includes analyzing cybersecurity threats and implementing robust mechanisms to safeguard data security and intellectual property.
Diversity in R&D: Giota highlighted the importance of a diverse workforce in R&D, noting that having women in technical roles contributes to better problem-solving and innovation. She shared statistics showcasing the company’s commitment to gender balance, with women making up a significant portion of their R&D team -40% a significant achievement in a highly technical field.
Integrating Gender Dimensions: Giota discussed how eBOS integrates gender dimensions in its projects by promoting equitable access to opportunities in the tech industry. She underscored the need for awareness and targeted outreach to attract women to STEM fields, especially in cybersecurity and advanced technologies.
Gender Balance in CAELESTIS: A Core Principle
This workshop discussed how important it is for institutions and projects to prioritize inclusivity and work to bridge the gender gap in traditionally male-dominated fields like engineering, aviation, and cybersecurity.
From project management to communication, and technical innovation, women are driving the success of EU-funded projects such as CAELESTIS and influencing its strategic direction. These efforts go beyond simply meeting gender quotas; they are about creating an environment where women can thrive, innovate, and lead.
Incorporating the gender dimension is not just a tick-the-box exercise for CAELESTIS — it is a core principle that shapes everything from project planning and execution to external communication and dissemination. Furthermore, it’s a key tool in ensuring the long-term success and uptake of the project’s outcomes.
For more insights into the CAELESTIS Horizon Europe project and its ongoing research, visit caelestis-project.eu