Statue of engineer Alice Kan unveiled to celebrate National Engineering Day

THE FIRST statue of a living engineer has been unveiled in London to mark National Engineering Day and inspire a new generation to join the profession.

The modern statue celebrates Alice Kan, who during the Covid pandemic was the programme manager for the fill-finish process for the Oxford-AZ Covid vaccine at Wockhardt. Kan led the team responsible for setting up the manufacturing of AstraZeneca vaccines for the UK.

The Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) unveiled the statue today outside its headquarters in Carlton House Terrace as it seeks to overturn the public’s lack of awareness about engineers. Artist Kelly Anna has eschewed traditional bronze or marble for her statue and has instead depicted Kan in what the RAEng describes as a radical, modern, vibrant style.

Kan, a mechanical engineer from Macclesfield, said: “Being honoured in statue form is a very surreal experience, not something many people can say, and I really hope that it encourages people to understand more about engineering, what engineers do, and why it's a great career for anyone who's got a curiosity for wanting to make things work better.”

What does the statue represent?

Anna says the statue encapsulates Kan’s remarkable career journey, achievements, and personal resilience in engineering and vaccine production. It depicts Kan looking upward in hope and optimism and is built from blocks and shapes in representation of her ability to build teams and overcome obstacles.

A key element is a pencil symbolising Kan’s determination, problem-solving and her push to help the public understand engineering. She is also shown holding an over-sized vial symbolising her work on Covid vaccine manufacture and her ongoing work on deadly diseases.

Kan is helping the Sabin Vaccine Institute tackle Ebola and Marburg by supporting the manufacturing of vaccines currently in phase 2 clinical trials. She is inspired by her late sister Polly, a doctor who helped with the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.

There are three vials depicted on the base of the statue, echoing the three she keeps on her desk, in homage to the three-step process she oversaw to cap the Covid vaccine.

The statue features a rainbow to symbolise diversity, inclusion, and renewal. And it is made of wood to reflects sustainability and growth, mirroring Kan’s role as a role model for young women in engineering.

Using this QR code, you can interact with the statue on your phone using augmented reality.

Anna, who has also created a digital mural of inspirational engineers to mark National Engineering Day, said: “These engineers are making a tangible impact on the world, and it’s exciting to translate their achievements into art that can inspire others. I hope that through these pieces, people will see how creative and fulfilling engineering can be.”

The digital artwork Anna has created is called Engineering Role Models. It features Kan and four other inspiring engineers nominated by the public – Navjot Sawhney, Meg Ginsberg, Shini Somara, and Laura Hoang.

Why a statue?

RAEng says with women making up 15.7% of the engineering workforce, down from 16.5% in 2023, the lack of visible role models is a key reason why fewer women are considering a career in engineering.

A survey of 12- to 15-year-olds found that 80% think it’s important to have a role model to look up to for personal and career goals, though many failed to name a real engineer or one featured in popular culture.

RAEng says statues are among the top three reasons people stop and take notice of public displays, yet according to the Public Statues and Sculpture Association only around 3% of statues in the UK are of non-royal women, and none celebrate modern engineers.

Hayaatun Sillem, CEO of RAEng, said: "Engineering is driven by countless unsung heroes and teams who shape our world in profound ways every day. Across the UK, modern engineers – despite their remarkable contributions to our society – remain noticeably absent from public statues and monuments. Their achievements deserve to be celebrated more publicly.”

Kan said: “I really wish that young people knew that engineering isn't just about fixing cars. It's about so much more than that. It's about curiosity of wanting the world to work better, to be better, and for people to live better lives. And the possibilities are endless.”

The statue is on display outside the RAEng’s central London offices until 20 November. The RAEng then plans to tour it around the country to inspire more future engineers.