Iron Dames Inspire the Next Generation at Oxford’s Women in Engineering Day

More than 50 girls from across the UK gathered at Oxford Brookes University yesterday for the 2025 edition of Women in Engineering Day – an event designed to ignite curiosity, confidence, and ambition in young women exploring the world of STEM and motorsport.

Oxford Brookes has a long-standing reputation for delivering top-quality engineering and motorsport degrees, and the annual initiative is part of the University’s wider commitment to supporting female representation in engineering, helping to bridge the gender gap in technical careers.

Iron Dames: Guests of Honour at Oxford Brookes

For this special edition, the University was proud to welcome Iron Dames, Vanina Ickx and Marta Garcia, as guests of honour. Representing the project,Vanina andMarta led a keynote presentation and engaged directly with the students throughout the day.

Through a dynamic presentation, Vanina and Marta shared their personal journeys and introduced the girls to the many career paths available in and around racing, from driving and engineering to data analysis, design, and team leadership.

Representation That Inspires

Central to the event was the idea of representation and visibility. The presence of Vanina and Marta offered more than information – it offered visible role models who embody resilience, excellence, and possibility.

For many of the girls, aged between 14 and 18, the event served as their first exposure to the motorsport world – an industry often perceived as inaccessible or reserved for a select few.

The goal of the event was to plant a seed: to inspire interest, open minds, and show what’s possible at a time in life when many are still unsure about their future.

“If you can see it, you can be it,” said one student participant. “Today made me realise there’s a place for girls like me in engineering, and even racing.”

“Before today, I didn’t think motorsport had anything to do with me,” said another. “Now I can picture myself in it and joining the Iron Dames project is now my dream for the future.”

With additional contributions from Driven By Us and Mission 44 – two organisations working to generate greater diversity and representation across motorsport and STEM industries – the students were offered new perspectives and real stories of inclusion, leadership, and change.

Looking Ahead

This successful collaboration marks what could be the beginning of future opportunities between Oxford Brookes and the Iron Dames project, both of which are united in the mission of empowering the next generation of female talent.

As the Iron Dames continue to challenge stereotypes and break new ground on and off the track, events like this one serve as a reminder that the most powerful engine of all is belief – belief in yourself, in your passion, and in the idea that anything is possible.