Rachel Morris is a principal engineer at Laing O’Rourke, a civil engineering contractor. She has had a diverse career since graduating from Leeds University in 1996 working in demolition, tunnelling, stations, bridges, Grade II listed structures, new office and residential buildings.
“…when things get tough, we tend to revert to type and let our unconscious bias take control. Language and behaviours appear that were not great for equality and diversity…”
Career update
For a number of years, I remained busy working on Crossrail, being involved on three of the stations delivering the lifts and escalators.
Aside from the physical logistics of installing these machines underground where tower cranes can’t go, the integration with other systems provided the biggest challenge.
Typically, in any underground any machine needs to link with fire detection or suppression, communications systems, speakers, power and also all of the architectural cladding and features, so being a good communicator is imperative in order to coordinate multiple interfaces effectively.
Now, I am in a design management role on the Northern Line Extension, which links 100,000 new residential properties and businesses to central London in just 20 minutes. Acres of brown field ex-industrial land is now home to the Battersea and Nine Elms developments including the American Embassy and The Battersea Power Station where the Apple London HQ will be.
I’ve spoken with Womanthology way back in 2015 so check out that feature for a bit more on my career history.
What you can’t see is just as important as what you can
I am responsible for the design of Kennington Green and Kennington Park ventilation shafts, which are iceberg-type structures within sensitive heritage areas of Kennington. What you see are charming brick structures, but what you don’t see are four substructure levels of concrete frame and ventilation systems controlling air flow for the Northern Line Extension, and multiple other complex mechanical and electrical systems required to support the railway.
Another quite creative part of the works I am looking after is the signage. Created originally by Frank Pick with the aspiration of making London underground travel an uplifting and enjoyable experience, all signage needs to meet exacting requirements in terms of messaging, but also aesthetics.
Next time you look at a line diagram showing the locations of the stations and interchanges, rest assured they were not simple at all to create.
Most days during lockdown I have been presenting artwork to client teams for review. All artwork is linked to a design of fire systems and people flow, and detailed design standards. The output is simple, but the process is anything but.
Being an engineer at Laing O’Rourke
I have been with Laing O’Rourke for over 20 years, which is hard to believe. The company offers me technical engineering roles on multi million-pound infrastructure projects that really interest me. I periodically think about moving to smaller companies to work on smaller projects, but whilst I have been working flexibly or part time I have also been able to almost cherry pick the role I want on a mega project.
For the last ten years I have been working on Cannon Street Station, Tottenham Court Road, Liverpool Street, Custom House and Northern Line Extension.
Balancing work and life to be at my most productive
What has been interesting the last year and a half is that I have been in a joint venture with a Spanish company. There is a strong work ethic, but there is also an expectation that you stop for lunch. There is no question that this improves your performance, allowing you to step away and return to your list of problems with a clearer head. It also allows you to manage your stamina.
That said – unless I am working closer to Covent Garden, I am unlikely to take an hour for lunch. I would rather grab a quick sandwich, finish a report and head home in time to make dinner for the family.
Achieving gender balance in STEM by equalising everyone and sharing opportunity fairly
I’ve been using the term equality and diversity ever since I was advised (correctly) that my ‘ladies’ lunch’ was creating another exclusive group rather than equalizing everyone and sharing opportunity fairly.
We are in a new world of such extensive online working, so really I would suggest that we all think about our visibility in our workplace. I don’t know if it harder to achieve gender balance online or in the office, I just know that we need to keep this on the agenda. When things get tough, we tend to revert to type and let our unconscious bias take control. Language and behaviours appear that were not great for equality and diversity.
For my part, I find it more difficult to delegate when under pressure, but I know that the best chance I have of success is to be part of an integrated diverse team. I have enough experience to work through problems my way but having the opportunity to draw ideas and alternatives from a diverse team allows us all to develop, innovate and improve. In the same way, I am able to propose alternative perspectives to others.
STEM and specifically job roles in construction and infrastructure have changed so much since I started working. There are so many more technical support roles for which it is not essential to be on site, but ask anyone who works in the industry – the real passion happens on site – the unquestionable excitement of seeing the project appear day by day. And that incredible moment when we finish and the client takes the keys.
Entering a new phase of my career
I feel as though I am in a new phase of my career. Having just returned to fulltime after 16 years of part time working, and also having finally become chartered (life got in the way when the kids came along), I think it is time to push myself professionally.
Luckily I have a mentor from the 30% Club I’m in touch with, so I may request a pep talk before any big conversations.
