Roma Agrawal MBE

Structural Engineer, Author and Broadcaster at Roma the Engineer

Speaker

Roma Agrawal is an engineer, author and presenter who is best known for working on the design of The Shard, Western Europe's tallest tower. She has been described as "the new voice of women talking about science and engineering and making it cool" by the Telegraph.

Roma has given lectures to thousands at universities, schools, and organisations around the world. She has appeared as an expert in documentaries including The Tallest Tower, Britain Beneath your Feet, and The Missing Evidence, and has been a part of BBC One’s The One Show team. She was selected as a 'Leading Lady' in an M&S marketing campaign, and hosts the podcast, Building Stories.

Her first book, Built: The Hidden Stories Behind our Structures, a look at the vast, and often unexpected impact of engineering and architecture on humanity. From mud huts to skyscrapers, tunnels, bridges, and technological infrastructure she looks at the effects, risks, problem solving, and key lessons involved in the evolution of human building. It won an AAAS science book award and has been translated into eight languages. In How Was That Built?: The Stories Behind Awesome Structures, Roma brings a host of landmarks to life for young readers a fully illustrated and fascinating book of brilliant buildings.

Roma is passionate about promoting engineering and technical careers to young people, particularly those from minoritized groups, and has won international awards for her technical prowess and for her advocacy for the profession, including the prestigious Royal Academy of Engineering's Rooke Award. She was appointed an MBE for services to engineering.