McLaren Design Engineer Joins RC Vision
Biiftuu Aba-Godu, 23, Will Advise RC Vision On Closing The STEM Diversity Gap.
London, England - Oct. 12, 2021. The start-up social venture RC Vision continued to gain momentum on the mission to improve diversity and representation in STEM work and learning today, with the appointment of 23-year-old design engineer Biiftuu Aba-Godu. After graduating from Leeds University earlier this year with a first-class masters degree in Automotive Engineering, Aba-Godu has joined McLaren Automotive’s design engineering team. A motorsports enthusiast, Aba-Godu designed the first EV racing chassis for the University of Leeds Formula Student racing team, Leeds Gryphon Racing. But, it was her writing on representation in engineering that brought her to the attention of RC Vision founder, Andy Hyde.
“Biiftuu speaks about her experiences in becoming an engineer with a passion and clarity that talks to everyone aspiring to break boundaries and achieve their dream,” said Hyde. “Her story is an example to all of us, and her perspective as a young, recent graduate is invaluable to RC Vision, releasing creative and productive energy to inspire new generations of young people to participate and believe.”
By developing radio control car racing facilities in locations accessible for minoritised communities, RC Vision aims to reach out and engage children and young people of colour in the world of electric radio control car racing. This, Hyde believes, will generate opportunities for children and young people to develop ‘engineering habits of mind’ and science capital, and have a lot of fun while they are doing it.
Biiftuu commented:
“I’m very excited to join RC Vision and be a part of something I’m passionate about. STEM outreach is something very close to my heart and I can’t wait to put my experiences and interests to good use with the rest of the team.
“As a black woman in engineering, it is easy to feel like you don’t belong in a space where nobody looks like you. Representation is vital, and key to diversifying any field. The RC Vision venture working to close that diversity gap is therefore important to me, especially when targeted at children and young students from under-represented backgrounds. I believe that in creative industries like engineering, diversity will drive innovation.
“We can achieve so much together, I can’t wait to get started!”
RC Vision is in talks with funders about two potential locations for the first facilities in central Birmingham and Stockwell, London. Further members of the advisory team will be announced in due course, with the ambition of bringing expertise, professional and lived experience to support the board of directors in the mission.
