Leicester expert in inclusive design recognised in Top 50 Women in Engineering awards
A University of Leicester expert in assistive technologies and inclusive design has been celebrated as one of 50 role models of women in engineering.
This International Women in Engineering Day, the Women’s Engineering Society (WES) announces the winners of the Top 50 Women in Engineering (WE50) Awards 2026, honouring exceptional women engineers whose achievements embody this year’s theme, Engineering Intelligence. The winners will be celebrated this morning (23 June) at a breakfast event at the House of Lords.
Now in its 11th year, the Top 50 Women in Engineering Awards are one of the UK’s most prestigious awards celebrating the contributions of women in engineering and aligned each year to International Women in Engineering Day on the 23 June. Established in 2016, the awards were created to increase the visibility of women engineers, and provide powerful role models for the next generation. Each year, the awards spotlight a different theme, reflecting the evolving landscape of engineering and the diverse ways women are shaping it.
This year’s awards include Dr Manuela Trejo, an engineering academic and researcher based in the University of Leicester School of Engineering, who specialises in assistive technologies, embedded systems, and inclusive design. Her work bridges biomedical engineering, education, and creative practice, translating technical innovation into meaningful societal impact.
Dr Trejo’s academic leadership spans projects in adaptive prosthetics, assistive sports technologies, often in collaboration with organisations supporting people with disabilities. Alongside her academic role, she pursues practice led research that translates biomedical data into creative outputs, reflecting a commitment to both technical innovation and public engagement. Her career is defined by a focus on equity, accessibility, and meaningful societal impact through engineering.
Dr Manuela Trejo from the University of Leicester School of Engineering said: “I am deeply honoured to be recognised as a WES Top 50 Women in Engineering awardee. This recognition reflects not only my journey, but the inspiring collaborations with students, colleagues, and communities striving to make engineering more inclusive and impactful. I am grateful for the opportunity to contribute to a field that empowers others and drives meaningful change.”
The 2026 winners represent the full spectrum of engineering. Working across aerospace, defence, rail, manufacturing, infrastructure, energy, academia, research, technology and the public sector, they are applying technical expertise, creativity, collaboration and leadership to solve complex challenges and improve lives.
This year’s theme, Engineering Intelligence, recognises the many ways engineers combine knowledge, innovation, data, emerging technologies and human-centred thinking to create solutions for an increasingly complex world. The winners demonstrate that intelligence in engineering extends far beyond technical capability; it includes adaptability, creativity, communication, ethical decision-making and a commitment to delivering positive impact.
WES Chief Executive Officer Susan Robson said: “Our theme of Engineering Intelligence for International Women in Engineering Day 2026 captures the reality of the world we’re working in today. Engineering now is shaped as much by the creativity, insight and humanity of the people who choose to be part of it as it is by technical expertise. Engineering is at its best when people are brave enough to challenge things in their quest for shared success. That spirit of courage and curiosity is what drives progress, and it’s what we’re celebrating this year.”
The winners were selected by an independent judging panel drawn from industry, academia and the wider engineering community. They were recognised for their professional achievements, technical expertise, leadership and commitment to advancing both engineering and inclusion within the sector.
The announcement forms part of the celebrations for International Women in Engineering Day (INWED), held annually on 23 June. Founded by WES in 2014, INWED has grown from a UK-based awareness campaign into a global movement reaching millions worldwide. The 2026 theme, #TogetherWeEngineer, highlights the power of collaboration in driving innovation and building a more inclusive engineering profession.