New sculpture encouraging more women to pursue engineering roles comes to Scotland
The sculpture, by acclaimed artist Kelly Anna, represents engineer Alice Kan who played a key role in the manufacture of the Covid-19 vaccine and will be displayed at City Art Centre.
Article Source: Edinburgh Science Festival
Last Updated: 17 March 2025 12:27
Monday 17 March: Edinburgh Science Festival, the world’s first festival of science and technology, is pleased to partner with the Royal Academy of Engineering to this year host acclaimed artist Kelly Anna's sculpture ‘What Makes an Engineer?’ which represents engineer Alice Kan who played a key role in the manufacture of the Covid-19 vaccine.
The sculpture will be displayed at City Art Centre as part of DiscoveryLab, its first display outside of London. Created to mark National Engineering Day 2024, the sculpture was part of an art project to celebrate inspirational engineers and represents Alice Kan, a mechanical engineer who played an important role in the manufacture of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine. Starting with a production line and team of one, Alice led efforts to grow the team, develop the process, set up manufacture and produce 100 million doses for use in the UK. Her work continues today developing Ebola vaccines.
The pivotal question – what makes an engineer? – rings as strongly today as ever before with women still making up only 15.7% of UK engineering workforce – down from 16.5% in 2023 – and a lack of visible role models is seen as a key factor in why fewer women are considering a career in engineering. By showcasing a story as inspiring as Alice Kan’s, Kelly Anna’s sculpture champions the fact that engineering is for everyone.
The sculpture encapsulates Alice’s remarkable journey, achievements, and personal resilience in engineering and vaccine production. The central, dynamic figure of Alice stands strong with an empowered posture, symbolizing her resilience, leadership, and unwavering determination. Alice is shown looking upward, representing hope, optimism, and her visionary approach to the future. The statue is constructed from various blocks and shapes, representing her ability to build teams and overcome obstacles. These blocks embody persistence and inclusiveness—demonstrating how diverse perspectives come together to create strength. An accompanying QR code will take visitors to an augmented reality experience created by Atlantic Productions.
Edinburgh Science Festival is the first and still one of Europe’s biggest science festivals, taking place over the Easter holidays, between 5 and 20 April. With the 2025 theme of Spaceship Earth, the Festival continues its years-long commitment to Programming for the Planet. It urges everyone to live like an astronaut, a battle to learn from the constraints of living on a space station where resources are impossibly constrained, and every gram of material and watt of energy is precious.
Edinburgh Science Director and CEO, Hassun El-Zafar said: “When programming our Festival we focus on ways to combine art and science, as art is often the most powerful way to bring science to life. By engaging the imagination, complex concepts or scientific achievements become all the easier to understand. We’re delighted that the Royal Academy of Engineering has chosen our Festival to showcase What Makes an Engineer? for the first time outside of London – a chance for all our visitors, young and old, to be inspired by Alice Kan’s work saving lives as an engineer.”
Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE, CEO of the Royal Academy of Engineering, said: "Engineering is driven by countless unsung heroes and teams who shape our world in profound ways every day. Across the UK, modern engineers—despite their remarkable contributions to our society—remain noticeably absent from public statues and artworks. I am delighted we can bring this sculpture of Alice Kan to Edinburgh Science Festival and I hope it will help to inspire young people to join this creative, rewarding profession, which improves lives every day."
The worlds of STEM and arts also combine in this year’s Festival programme for a selection of genre-defying events. Hear exclusive first readings at Sci-Fi Futures (8 April), a creative collision of science fiction and science fact, bringing together Scottish writers Martin MacInnes, L R Lam and Eris Young, and Professor of Applied Space Technology and Scotland’s leading space expert Prof Malcolm Macdonald. This exciting collaboration between Edinburgh Science Festival and Edinburgh International Book Festival commissioned three brand new writings envisioning a utopian future truly living within our means.
Theoretical physicist and industrial musician Prof Bob Coecke is here to open our minds and ears with Quantum Music (10 April). Bob illustrates how the coming quantum revolution can be used to compose new kinds of music and will “play his guitar on a quantum computer”. In The Sound of Galaxies (16 April), an interactive sound-forward session, you'll listen to galaxy data and gain a deeper appreciation for the innovative ways scientists explore the Universe.
Can arid lands be spaces for new ecological world-making? Desert Future (11 April) is a film screening of Wanuri Kahiu's Pumzi and discussion explores climate fiction, environmental humanities, history of science and Black/Africana studies.
The Edinburgh Conservation Film Festival (19 April) is a celebration of conservation stories from around the world that will inspire, engage, and inform you about some of the many projects helping to protect the world's biodiversity.
Visit Dynamic Earth’s Planetarium for Planetarium Lates: Earth From Above (10 – 12 April & 17- 19 April) to enjoy an evening of extra-terrestrial entertainment as they screen some of your favourite science films including Gravity, Apollo 13 and The Martian.
Edinburgh Science is a world expert in producing live science events and the 2025 Festival is the prime example of the power of bringing people together to explore the fascinating world of science, technology, engineering and maths and arts.
Tickets are on sale now here
Sponsored Links
Latest Edinburgh News
Somewhere by Nico launches its first ever Cocktail Festival in Glasgow and Edinburgh
Cocktail Festival will serve customers £5 cocktails highlighting signature cocktails including the classics we all love, from Margaritas to Daiquiris!
READ MORE
Top Scottish chefs take on ultimate kitchen cook off at food hall Bonnie & Wild
Some of Scotland’s best chefs are sharpening their knives for the ultimate kitchen cook-off at Scottish food hall Bonnie & Wild.
READ MORE
New spring season for a new look Capital Theatres
Capital Theatres’ spring season brings with it a new look, new shows and new extraordinary experiences.
READ MORE
Travel back in time to The World of King James VI and I
A special, one-off exhibition opens at the Portrait gallery in Edinburgh this Saturday (26 April), charting the remarkable reign of King James VI and I.
READ MORE
Music Venue Trust launch Annual Report in Scottish Parliament
Music Venue Trust (MVT), which represents hundreds of UK grassroots music venues (GMVs) launched its 2024 Annual Report in Scottish Parliament with a special event last night.
READ MORE
New Bluey collection comes to cinemas for the May Bank Holiday
Bluey at the Cinema: Let's Play Chef Collection will be playing in cinemas across the UK and Ireland from Saturday 3rd May, just in time for the Early May Bank Holiday weekend.
READ MORE
Appeal to Restore Scottish Veterans Memorial
Scottish Veterans Residences (SVR) have launched a major public appeal to restore the charity’s century-old Memorial at Eastern Cemetery in Leith, Edinburgh.
READ MORE
Bluey brought to real life in Smash Hit Show
Following a hugely successful UK tour, Bluey, Bingo, Mum and Dad are back by popular demand in the Olivier Award nominated live stage show Bluey’s Big Play and it's coming to Edinburgh Playhouse!
READ MORE
New and exclusive Heritage Planting and Afternoon Tea experience comes to Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a new hands-on planting and afternoon tea experience inspired by the RHS Chelsea Garden Show and Dobbies' 160-year heritage.
READ MORE
Discover a Summer of Outdoor Adventure with Dynamic Earth
This summer, Dynamic Earth - Edinburgh’s only Science Centre and Planetarium - is welcoming back children to its ever-popular Summer Outdoor Club.
READ MORE
Stories of inspiring young women sought by charity
The Young Women’s Movement, Scotland’s national organisation for young women and girls’ leadership and rights, is seeking nominations for its tenth annual 30 Under 30 list.
READ MORE
Mussel and Steak Bar will revert back to 2005 menu pricing for week long birthday celebrations
To celebrate its 20th birthday, the world famous The Mussel & Steak Bar will be offering a 20% discount from Monday 5th May - Thursday 8th May.
READ MORE
Lost Victorian relic found in attic during Edinburgh renovation
During renovation work at CoDE The Court, a rare 19th-century Crossley ‘Otto Silent’ engine, one of only three in existence, was discovered tucked away in the attic.
READ MORE
Applications open for University of Edinburgh AI enhanced Accelerator Programme 2025
An initiative which helps innovative Artificial Intelligence (AI)-focused scaleup companies to maximise their full commercial potential is now open for 2025 applications.
READ MORE
Six by Nico transforms your meal into a mission, and every guest into an explorer
Building on the success of its immersive experiences, Six by Nico is set to take diners on an adventure across the Six Wonders of the World!
READ MORE
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns next weekend with a supersized celebration
Paisley Food and Drink Festival returns on Friday 25th and Saturday 26th April for its biggest event yet with an extended site and more vendors than ever before!
READ MORE
Free beer as BrewDog is giving away 5,000 cans at Edinburgh Waverley this Thursday
Britain’s biggest independent brewer, BrewDog, is giving away 5,000 warm cans of Wingman at Edinburgh Waverley station on Thursday 17th April.
READ MORE
Edinburgh welcomes the European Arts Festivals Summit 2025
This April, Edinburgh - the world’s foremost festival city, will welcome the Arts Festivals Summit 2025, the premier annual gathering of Europe’s most visionary festival makers.
READ MORE
Edinburgh blockbuster burger joint back for another bite at Deliveroo Restaurant Awards
Foodie favourite, Luxford Burgers, has made the shortlist in the Best Burger and American category at Deliveroo Restaurant Awards and hopes to be crowned culinary champions for a second year.
READ MORE
Rosas Thai and Uber Eats team up to launch Songkran Supper Clubs in Edinburgh
Rosa's Thai and Uber Eats have launched the Songkran Supper Club – a limited-edition food experience inspired by Thai New Year, designed to spark meaningful conversations across generations.
READ MORE
Number One Restaurant announces exclusive wine dinner with world renowned Maison Trimbach
On 16th June, Chef de Cuisine Mathew Sherry and the team at Number One in The Balmoral, Edinburgh will welcome Jean Trimbach, of world-renowned Maison Trimbach winery for an exclusive dinner.
READ MORE
Trusts join forces to explore complexities of the Battle of Culloden
The National Trust for Scotland and the National Trust have teamed up to give an insight into the complexity of the Battle of Culloden in a pair of podcasts this April.
READ MORE
Love Your Lawn with Dobbies
Dobbies Garden Centres is hosting a very special FREE Grow How event in stores across the UK this May in partnership with Alzheimer's Research UK to mark Dementia Action Week.
READ MORE
Scottish Surfing Prodigy Ben Larg Joins Lost Shore Surf Resort as Ambassador
April 2025 - Lost Shore Surf Resort, Europe’s largest inland surfing destination, has announced Scotland’s first professional surfer, Ben Larg (20 years) as its official ambassador.
READ MORE
Exclusive child planting event in honour of National Childrens Gardening Week
Dobbies Garden Centres are celebrating National Children's Gardening Week by welcoming families along to its Children's Planting and Afternoon Tea experience on Saturday 31st May.
READ MORE
Hop Into an EGGceptional Easter at Gravity Active
This Easter, get ready to bounce into an unforgettable adventure at Gravity Active.
READ MORE
Fort Kinnaird announces Easter weekend opening hours and holiday fun for families
Fort Kinnaird has confirmed its opening hours for the upcoming Easter bank holiday weekend and is inviting families to enjoy a packed programme of fun, food and entertainment!
READ MORE
Edinburgh Whisky Club joins forces with Indian Consulate to host Whisky Tasting Takeover
The Scotch Malt Whisky Society (SMWS) has teamed up with the Consulate General of India in Edinburgh to offer a night of fine Indian single malt whisky tasting.
READ MORE
Bikepacking book launch comes to Edinburgh
One of mountaineering’s leading figures, Mike Raine, is launching his new book at Alpkit Edinburgh on 17th April to share his best ‘tales from the trails’.
READ MORE
Edinburgh launches new accessibility guide for the city
Forever Edinburgh has launched a brand-new Edinburgh: Accessible Highlights Guide in partnership with award-winning Edinburgh-based disabled access charity, Euan’s Guide.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links