In Conversation with Asha Devi: Engineering and 9/11

Birmingham City University is pleased to invite you to a specially-held event with Asha Devi, a Birmingham-based structural engineer who supported the 9/11 rescue effort.

On the 20th anniversary of the US terror attack Asha will share her experience working as part of the team of engineers mapping routes for the emergency services working through the rubble of the collapsed Twin Towers.

This event is a great opportunity for anyone with an interest in engineering, especially for current and perspective students who would like to learn more about what a career in this field may look like.

Birmingham City University is an excellent place to study engineering benefiting from the specialist facilities as well as practical experience with industry partners based in the area.

Asha Devi is an Associate Director at a renowned engineering consultancy, Ove Arup & Partners and is currently based in their Birmingham office. She worked in the UK, including major projects such as HSBC tower at Canary Wharf, London Science Museum and Portcullis House, and around the world in Europe, Asia and Africa.

Born in Handsworth, Asha played a major role in her home city, contributing to key projects including the Water’s Edge Brindleyplace, University of Birmingham, Birmingham Children’s hospital and the Sea Life centre.

Asha is an active advocate of STEM activities in schools. She is particularly passionate about supporting young women and people of colour to pursue a career in engineering, a vocation that has enabled Asha to participate in some amazing projects over the years.

In 2018 Birmingham City Council named her among 30 inspiring women featured in a book dedicated to the uplifting stories of second-city females, ‘Once Upon a Time in Birmingham: Women who dared to dream.’

In January 2020, she was presented with an honorary doctorate from Birmingham City University during a special ceremony held at Birmingham’s Symphony Hall, alongside students graduating from the University’s Faculty of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment.

During the event Asha will talk about her engineering career and the challenges she faced over the years.

The interview will be followed by a Q&A session when you will be able to submit your questions to Asha. All those who register will receive joining instructions and link to the event’s live stream closer to the date.

If you have any questions, including press inquiries please contact the BCU Press Office – press@bcu.ac.uk