EDI in Engineering: Are We There Yet?

Hosted by SAMPE Canada, CKN, CACMSA and CREPEC

Our next D&I Coffee Break session features Dr Marie-Josée Potvin, Senior Systems Engineer/Manager of the Engineer Development Program, Canadian Space Agency - "EDI in Engineering: Are We There Yet?"

In 2001, the Canadian Space Agency recognized that the progression of women seemed difficult and instituted its first Committee for Women in Science, Technology, and Management. Following the actions of the Committee, in 2005, progress was noted. But today, in 2022, the results are mixed. What worked the best? What are the challenges ahead of us and what could be done?

Dr. Marie-Josée Potvin entered the Canadian Space Agency in 1995, first as a Ph.D. student doing a project with the organisation, and as of 2001, as instructor for the astronauts. A year later, she joined the Space Science and Technology directorate, working on technologies such as membrane antennas and composite materials and mechanisms for the Moon. In 2010, she was given the mandate to develop and run the Engineer Development Program. For several years, Dr Potvin was a member of the Equity and Diversity Committee of the Canadian Space Agency. She also lead the Committee for Women in Science, Technology, and Management for several years. During her spare time, she lead scouts groups for handicapped youth and she trained young adults with special needs as scout leaders. Herself handicapped since catching Covid in March 2020, with a with a mobility issue and hearing loss, she now sits on various committees for people with handicaps.