Engineering Professor Aims to Promote Diversity and Inclusion Through Professional Society

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Magda El-Shenawee

A University of Arkansas electrical engineering professor hopes to encourage more diversity and inclusion through her recent election to an administrative committee in the Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers, an international society. 

For Magda El-Shenawee, the chance to serve on the administration committee, known as AdCom, for the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society means more than a professional opportunity — it's a way to open avenues for female representation in the field of electrical engineering. 

The society focuses on several research topics, including antennas, analysis, design, and the interaction of electromagnetic waves with discrete and continuous media, and more. El-Shenawee said women continue to be underrepresented in electrical engineering, including in IEEE.

"It is an honor to serve on the AdCom for the APS Society, which governs all activities in the society," she said. "The number of women in this society is small, which is something I would like to help change." 

Three women are currently serving in the AdCom, according to IEEE officials. The APS Society is one of 39 IEEE societies dedicated to serve under the mission of technology for the benefit of humanity.

"My goal is to promote gender, geographical, and technical diversities in the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society, so it can serve the whole community and include everyone," she said. 

Through her role, El-Shenawee will vote on various activities for the society, which include topics like technical items, conferences, education, publications, budget, and more. 

"The goal of the AdCom is to serve all national and international members of the APS Society and provide needed resources all over the world," she said. 

El-Shenawee was elected to a three-year term.   

For more information about the IEEE Antennas and Propagation Society, click here.