29 January 2026
|
Steph McGovern and Ann Watson with the seven new students at Teesside University
Broadcaster, journalist and author Steph McGovern returned to her Teesside roots to launch a new scholarship programme aimed at increasing the number of women entering engineering.
The Steph McGovern Women in Engineering Scholarship powered by Enginuity will provide support for every first‑year, full‑time female engineering student at Teesside University, thanks to £44,000 of funding from Enginuity, the engineering skills charity.
At an event held in the University’s Digital Life Building, the inaugural scholars learned for the first time that they would receive support from McGovern herself throughout their studies.
Before starting her career as a broadcaster, the Middlesbrough‑born presenter worked an engineer at Black & Decker, where she won the Young Engineer for Britain award at the age of 19. She remains a committed advocate for widening access to engineering careers.
In 2013, she was awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Professional Achievement by Teesside University.
McGovern said: “I can’t tell you how delighted I am to help make this happen,” said Steph, “if we want to make the world a better place for everyone, we need more women involved in the designing, making and running of it and to me that means more female engineers.
“There are so many unnecessary barriers women have to overcome to get on the right path to a rewarding career, whether financial, prejudicial, ignorance or pure peer pressure – so anything that I can do to tear one or two of them down – brings me untold joy.
Professor Mark Simpson, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor designate at Teesside University, said: “Empowering students to thrive and embracing diversity are at the heart of Teesside University’s mission and values. We are delighted to partner with Steph and Enginuity to deliver this fantastic scholarship which will support greater diversity in engineering and ensure that more female students have the opportunities, encouragement and resources to succeed.''
Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity, who herself hails from Teesside, said: “Steph is a terrific role model and so tuned in to the barriers that women face entering our crucial sector, who better to be the face and voice of this initiative!
“There is massive investment in place for the region, to support advanced manufacturing, bio-tech and carbon capture – we need to help re generate this industrial heartland by giving these projects the oxygen that skills provide.
“Industry is desperate need of a flowing pipeline of skilled people and encouraging more women in to the system is not just the right thing to do – but an absolute necessity.
“As someone who grew up on Teesside and the first person in my family to go to University and that University being Teesside, I know first-hand the life changing difference that these scholarships can make opening up the world of higher education for these aspiring engineers. "
McGovern marked the occasion by meeting the seven students in the first cohort of scholarship recipients and by recording her podcast, Steph on Skills – powered by Enginuity.
