Like most young people, I joined the then Institute of Materials because I thought it would be good to be a member of a professional organisation, and that it might be of benefit to my career. Little did I know when I joined just over 10 years ago of the doors that would open to me and the opportunities that would arise as a result of membership.
Almost half co-ed maintained schools in the UK do not send even one girl to study A-Level physics. And yet women have successful careers in the sector. What can be done to redress the balance? Louise Kittle spoke to women working in materials science and engineering about the issues facing the industry.