The Royal Academy of Engineering (RAEng) unveiled a striking statue of Alice Kan, a manufacturing engineer from Macclesfield, to mark National Engineering Day 2024.
The modern statue, designed by visual artist Kelly Anna, celebrates Kan’s pivotal role in manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines at Wockhardt during the pandemic.
Anna’s vibrant design depicts Kan gazing upward with hope and optimism. Built from dynamic blocks and shapes, the statue symbolises Kan’s ability to develop teams and overcome obstacles. Key elements include a pencil representing her determination and problem-solving skills, and an oversized vial signifying her work on vaccine manufacturing. The statue also features a rainbow symbolising diversity, inclusion, and renewal.
“Being honoured in statue form is a very surreal experience, not something many people can say,” Kan remarked. “I really hope that it encourages people to understand more about engineering, what engineers do, and why it’s a great career for anyone who’s got a curiosity for wanting to make things work better.”
During the pandemic, Kan led the team responsible for setting up the manufacturing of AstraZeneca vaccines for the UK. She is now helping the Sabin Vaccine Institute tackle Ebola and Marburg by supporting the manufacturing of vaccines currently in phase 2 clinical trials, driven by the memory of her late sister Polly. This doctor helped with the Ebola outbreak in Sierra Leone.
The AstraZeneca vaccine, developed in partnership with the University of Oxford, is a viral vector vaccine. It uses a harmless, modified version of a chimpanzee adenovirus (ChAdOx1) as a vehicle to deliver genetic instructions to our cells.
Here’s how it works:
- The ChAdOx1 virus is genetically engineered to contain the gene for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. This protein on the coronavirus’s surface allows it to enter human cells.
- When the vaccine is injected, the ChAdOx1 virus enters our cells and delivers the genetic instructions for making the spike protein.
- Our cells then start producing and displaying the spike protein on their surface.
- Our immune system recognises the spike protein as foreign and starts producing antibodies and activating T-cells to attack it.
- If we’re later exposed to the SARS-CoV-2 virus, our immune system is primed and ready to quickly neutralise it before it can cause disease. The antibodies bind to the spike proteins, preventing the virus from entering our cells, while the T-cells attack and destroy infected cells.
The AstraZeneca vaccine proved highly effective in clinical trials. Its efficacy was around 76% after a single dose, rising to 82% after the second dose when the doses were given 12 weeks apart. It was 100% effective in preventing severe disease and hospitalisation.
Notably, the vaccine is relatively inexpensive (around $4 per dose), can be manufactured at scale, and only needs regular refrigeration (2-8°C) for storage. This makes it ideal for mass vaccination programs, especially in low—and middle-income countries.
Over 2 billion doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine have been supplied worldwide, crucially reducing the global impact of COVID-19. In the UK, it formed a significant part of the vaccination program alongside the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine, with over 50 million doses administered by May 2024.
Women currently make up just 15.7% of the UK engineering workforce, a drop from 16.5% in 2023. The lack of visible female role models is cited as a key factor in why fewer young women consider engineering a viable career. A survey found that while 80% of 12—to 15-year-olds believe having role models is crucial for setting career goals, many failed to name a real engineer or one featured in popular culture.
RAEng CEO Dr Hayaatun Sillem CBE stated, “Across the UK, modern engineers – despite their remarkable contributions to our society – remain noticeably absent from public statues and monuments. Their achievements deserve to be celebrated more publicly.”
The statue unveiling is part of the RAEng’s campaign to change public perceptions and inspire a new generation of engineers. By highlighting inspirational figures like Kan, the academy seeks to demonstrate the real-world impact of engineering and encourage young people from all backgrounds to explore the field.
Anna has also created a digital mural featuring Kan and four other inspiring engineers—Navjot Sawhney, Meg Ginsberg, Shini Somara, and Laura Hoang—who were nominated by the public. “These engineers are making a tangible impact on the world, and it’s exciting to translate their achievements into art that can inspire others,” Anna said.
Kan’s statue will be displayed outside the RAEng’s London offices until November 20th before touring the country to inspire future engineers. “I really wish that young people knew that engineering isn’t just about fixing cars,” Kan emphasised. “It’s about so much more than that. It’s about curiosity of wanting the world to work better, to be better, and for people to live better lives. And the possibilities are endless.”
As the first statue of a living engineer unveiled in the UK, Kan’s likeness stands as a powerful symbol of the vital contributions made by modern engineers. The RAEng hopes that by celebrating these unsung heroes, more young people from all walks of life will be inspired to pursue rewarding careers that improve our world.
TLDR:
- Statue of Engineer Alice Kan unveiled in London to mark National Engineering Day 2024
- Kan played a crucial role in manufacturing COVID-19 vaccines, now working on Ebola and Marburg vaccines
- Women make up just 15.7% of UK engineers; the lack of visible role models is a factor
- The statue is part of the Royal Academy of Engineering’s campaign to inspire a new generation of diverse engineers
- Artist Kelly Anna also created a digital mural featuring Kan and other nominated engineering role models
