Systems Engineering is a diverse discipline by nature, bringing together engineers and stakeholders from a vast range of contexts. Successful Systems Engineering projects consider the needs of everybody involved in order to achieve the best solution, so why should this be any different from our approach within the Institution? IfSE recognises the importance of D&I for creating an equitable, safe environment where all our member’s voices feel seen and heard. Our commitment to supporting D&I can be found in our Diversity & Inclusivity policy. We also have a dedicated D&I Committee, explained in more detail below.
Background
The D&I Committee originally began as a Collaboration Group, formed in October 2023. This was created to increase inclusivity & diversity across the (then) INCOSE UK Membership, UKAB & Council.
Three of the Collaboration Group’s main achievements include:
- Organising and running a dedicated D&I classroom session and panel session at ASEC 2024
- Collaborating with D&I reps from The RAEng and SheCanEngineer
- Running a UKAB and Council awareness day with a focus on LGBTQ+/menopause/neurodiversity
Its success led to its transition to a formalised Committee in March 2025, which is open to all IfSE Members.
Objectives
- To provide guidance to the IfSE Council on how to increase D&I (in all forms) in Systems Engineering
- To highlight why everyone (employees, employers, Professional Engineering Institutions) should take D&I seriously
- To support the Council in achieving their D&I Strategy
- To provide support to IfSE members in accordance with the D&I Strategy
Get Involved
Are you an IfSE Member and want to help us achieve our D&I goals? Then join the Committee! Email the Committee Chair at: blewis@synoptix.co.uk, clearly stating your interest, to be added to the mailing list. Whole-group meetings are held around the last Friday of every month, via MS Teams. We welcome anyone with a remote interest in D&I, whether that’s wanting to gain better awareness, join a community of like-minded individuals, or want the opportunity for advocacy.