Karen Burt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Karen Burt
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| Born |
Karen Ann Hilsum
26 November 1954 |
| Died | 20 June 1997 (aged 42) Islington, London, England
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| Alma mater | University of Cambridge University of Reading |
| Organization | Women's Engineering Society |
| Known for | Advocacy Engineering |
Karen Ann Hilsum Burt (born November 26, 1954 – died June 20, 1997) was a brilliant British engineer. She was also a strong supporter of getting more women to join and stay in engineering jobs. She worked hard to make sure women had a place in this important field.
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Early Life and Learning
Karen went to school at Hillside School, Malvern and Worcester Girl's Grammar School. She then studied at Newnham College, Cambridge, which is part of the famous University of Cambridge. Later, she earned a special advanced degree called a PhD from the University of Reading. Her PhD research focused on electron microscopy, which is a way to see very tiny things.
Karen's Engineering Career
After finishing her studies, Karen Burt started working at British Aerospace. She began as a project engineer, helping to build scientific satellites. These are special machines sent into space to collect information. Karen was very good at her job and was promoted to a senior systems engineer. This meant she was in charge of making sure all the different parts of a project worked together.
Later, Karen became interested in how businesses work. She took on a new role as a Business Acquisition Manager. In this job, she helped the company find and win new projects.
Helping Others in Engineering
Karen left British Aerospace to start her own company. She also helped University College London create a new center. This center was for advanced tools and systems used in science and engineering.
Karen was very active in groups that support engineers. She worked with the Women's Engineering Society, the Institute of Physics, and the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. In 1983 and 1984, she gave a special talk called Let's Build A Satellite. She presented this talk for the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers and British Aerospace.
In 1987, Karen joined the London team of the Women's Engineering Society. She strongly believed in helping women take breaks from their careers, like for family, and then return to work. She gave advice to many women on how to manage this. In 1991, Karen became a member of the Women's Engineering Society Council. She also spoke at a big meeting for women engineers and scientists that same year.
Sadly, Karen Burt passed away in June 1997 at the age of 42. She had just accepted a new teaching job at University College London.
Karen Burt's Lasting Impact
Since 1999, the Women's Engineering Society has given out a special award in Karen Burt's memory. This award celebrates new women engineers who have achieved a high professional status called Chartered Engineer. This status shows that an engineer has reached a very high level of skill and experience.
Each year, different engineering groups can nominate one woman for the award. From these nominations, a winner is chosen. The award helps to encourage more women to become Chartered Engineers. The winner receives £1,000, which was made possible by Karen's father, Cyril Hilsum.
Winners of the Karen Burt Award
- 2021: Eleanor Earl, Institution of Civil Engineers
- 2020: Tina Gunnarrsson, Institution of Civil Engineers
- 2019: Mandy Lester, Institution of Chemical Engineers
- 2018: Dr Susan Deeny, Institution of Fire Engineers
- 2017: Madeleine Jones, Institution of Chemical Engineers
- 2016: Clare Lavelle, Energy Institute
- 2015: Helen Randell, Institution of Civil Engineers
- 2014: Elaine Greaney, Institute of Engineering and Technology
- 2013: Professor Molly Stevens, Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining
- 2012: Kate Cooksey, Institution of Civil Engineers
- 2011: Dr Gemma Whatling, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- 2010: Julie Templeton, Institution of Civil Engineers
- 2009: Katy Deacon, Institution of Engineering & Technology
- 2008: Emily Spearman, Energy Institute
- 2007: Jane Hunter, Institute of Highway Engineers
- 2006: Louise Dougan (née McDevitt), Institute of Highway Engineers
- 2005: Katy Roelich, Institution of Water and Environmental Management
- 2004: Suzanne Bland, Institution of Civil Engineers
- 2003: Jane Wild, Institution of Mechanical Engineers
- 2002: Helen Marson, Institution of Chemical Engineers
- 2001: Beth Hutchison, British Computer Society
- 2000: Una McQuaid, Institution of Civil Engineers
- 1999: Rebecca Dowsett, Institution of Electrical Engineers
