Jan Peters (engineer) facts for kids

Jan Peters is an amazing engineer, consultant, and champion for fairness in STEM. STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Maths. Jan works to make sure everyone, no matter their background, has a chance to succeed in these important fields.

Early Work and Helping Women in STEM

Jan Peters has always worked hard to help more women get involved in science and engineering. From 1999 to 2002, she was in charge of a special government team called the SET for Women Unit. This team focused on helping women in science, engineering, and technology. She also advised the European Commission on how to support women in science across Europe.

Jan created a plan to help women who wanted to return to work in science and engineering after a break. She also looked into how to support scientists and engineers from different ethnic backgrounds. One interesting project she led was a study about finding safety clothing that fits women well, which is very important for safety in many jobs.

Leading the Way in Engineering

From 2008 to 2011, Jan Peters was the President of the Women's Engineering Society. This group helps and inspires women who are engineers or want to become engineers. It's a big deal to lead such an important organization!

Later, at the famous Royal Society, Jan became the very first person to hold the job of Equality and Diversity Manager. This meant she worked to make sure everyone felt welcome and had equal opportunities at the Royal Society, which is a group of top scientists.

Katalytik and Community Projects

In 2004, Jan Peters started her own company called Katalytik. This company helps other organizations understand how to be more fair and welcoming to everyone. She has worked on projects to help Black and Asian women become leaders. She also helped improve engineering education at University College London and worked on making the construction industry more diverse.

In 2018, Jan helped start a group called Discover Science Christchurch. Their goal is to create a fun science center in Christchurch. This would be a great place for kids and families to learn about science!

Awards and Recognition

Jan Peters has received special awards for her important work. In 2017, she was given an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) by the Queen. This award is given to people who have made a big difference in their community or country. In the same year, she also received an honorary doctorate from Bournemouth University, which is a special degree given to people who have achieved great things.