An LGBTQ+ Edinburgh engineer has been praised after he was presented with an award previously won by Tim Peake.
Dr Mark McBride-Wright said he was "honoured" to accept the Rooke Award after years of working to promote diversity and cultural change in the industry.
Previously won by none other than astronaut Major Tim Peake, the medal is given to those who are said to have brought engineering to life for the public.
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Speaking about the achievement, he said: “It’s a massive honour to receive this award as it is so vital we engage people from all walks of life to consider a career in engineering. This sector is so important to society, helping us find solutions, drive innovation and improve quality of life.
“And I have the ambition to now take my work forward, evolve and elevate to a place that will help the engineering sector to improve exponentially for the generations to come.”
As a gay safety engineer, Mark is also the chair and co-founder of InterEngineering, a non-profit industry body that connects, informs, and empowers LGBTQ+ engineers and supporters.
Set up in 2014, the organisation has grown to become the leading voice in amplifying the work of LGBTQ+ engineers and addressing inclusion within the engineering and construction sector.
Now boasting a membership of 1,000 members, InterEngineering has allowed LGBTQ+ engineers to become increasingly recognised through presence at national Pride parades.
With high hopes for the future, Mark added that he wants to establish a national engineering mentoring programme, whereby every engineering student has the opportunity to gain a mentor from industry.
He said:: “The vision I have for a mentoring campaign would be a huge step in the right direction for engineering, construction and technology.
“Not only this, I want to create a national engineering careers website, similar to the NHS, with any route and any career type listed here.
“So, as you can see, this Rooke Award is only the beginning!”
