Why the Young engineers conference matters

3 June 2026

I didn’t always want to be a structural engineer. If you had told my younger self I’d be designing structures and chairing the Young Engineers conference, I wouldn’t have believed you—I thought I was “bad at maths and physics” and saw engineering as abstract and disconnected.

That changed when I understood its real impact. I wanted to create tangible change—help communities thrive, build resilience, and shape everyday environments. Engineering gave me that opportunity.

I’ve always valued the social side of the profession: how thoughtful design brings people together and creates safe, sustainable spaces. Joining the Institution felt natural, but I soon wanted to do more than observe—I wanted to contribute and help shape our community.

That drive led me to the Scottish Regional Group. After the pandemic, I focused on restarting the Regional Young Members Group and rebuilding the peer connections lost during COVID-19.

I was introduced to the wider network of early-career engineers when I sat on the IStructE Council representing the young members of Scotland. It was a turning point. Suddenly, I was in the room with Regional Young Member Chairs from all across the UK and beyond. It was through this network that I first truly understood the impact of the Young engineers conference (YEC).

When I attended the conference, both online and in-person at HQ in London and over in Dublin I initially saw it through a practical lens. To me, it was an excellent opportunity to network with fellow professionals, listen to technical talks directly tailored to my career stage, tackle modern structural challenges, and roll up my sleeves in practical workshops.

What I didn't expect was how much fun it would be, and how deeply it would change my outlook on my own career.

The Young engineers conference is far more than a series of PowerPoint presentations. It is a vibrant hub of shared experiences. Witnessing the incredible energy each region brings to the event made me appreciate the value of moving the conference, with each region showcasing its unique engineering heritage, challenges, and future talent. Seeing how other regions used the platform to showcase the future of our profession was inspiring and I knew right then that I wanted to bring that spotlight home to Scotland, to show the wider structural community what our young engineers are capable of.

Looking back, the Young engineers conference has been a defining catalyst for my professional and personal growth. Most notably, the supportive, collaborative atmosphere of the YEC helped me find my voice, which is something that really matters in our industry, where speaking up, sharing ideas and challenging thinking is just as important as technical skills. It’s also given me practical tools I use every day, from better engineering judgement to a clearer sense of where the industry is heading. But more than anything, it’s the people—through the YEC I’ve built strong friendships and a trusted network I can lean on for advice, technical discussions or industry pressures. This has been an incredible source of strength.

This growth and newfound confidence directly paved the way for my wider advocacy work within the Institution. Empowered by the conversations and diverse perspectives I encountered at the conferences, I went on to join the IStructE’s Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) panel, where I now proudly serve as the Equity Lead. The YEC taught me that if you want the industry to be inclusive, collaborative, and forward-thinking, you have to step up and help build it.

That brings us to 2026. This year, my ambition of bringing the Young engineers conference to Scotland has become a reality. I am incredibly proud to be chairing this year’s conference right here in Glasgow.

For me, chairing the YEC is a full-circle moment. It is my opportunity to give back to a platform that gave me so much, and to ensure that the next cohort of students and early-career engineers experience the same spark of inspiration that I did.

This year, our theme focuses heavily on the past, present, and future of structural engineering. In an era where climate resilience and sustainability must dictate every decision we make, we are placing a major spotlight on the refurbishment of existing buildings. Learning how to safely retrofit, conserve, and breathe new life into our existing building stock is one of the most critical skills a modern engineer can possess.

Whether you are a student trying to bridge the gap between academic theory and real-world practice, or an early-career engineer looking to sharpen your engineering judgment, this year's conference in Glasgow is designed for you. It is a rare, dedicated space to engage in meaningful conversations about where our industry is heading, challenge your technical perspectives, and meet the very people who could shape your professional future.

The Young Engineers Conference is entirely what you make of it. For me, it wasn’t just an event on the calendar. It was the ultimate launchpad for my personal and professional growth. I invite you to join us this July, step off the sidelines, and find your own voice in shaping the future of structural engineering.

See you in Glasgow!