Women in Engineering
1. WIE Committee Structure and Member Introductions
| Role | Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|---|
| Chair | Qiaowei Yuan | Tohoku Institute of Technology |
| Vice Chairs | Charlotte Blair | Ansys |
| Marie Garcia Vigueras | National Institute of Applied Sciences of Rennes | |
| Fauziahanim Che Seman | Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia | |
| Zhizhang (David) Chen | Dalhosie University | |
| Secretaries | Lei Guo | Dalian University of Technology |
| Yuanfeng She | AIST | |
| Yuko Rikuta | Nihon Dengyo Kosaku Co., Ltd. | |
| Lizhao Song | University of Technology Sydney | |
| Members | Sayaka Matsukawa | National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology |
| Kamilia Binti Kamardin | Universiti Teknologi Malaysia |
Message from the WIE Committee Chair – Qiaowei Yuan, Professor, Tohoku Institute of Technology, Japan
The IEEE AP-S/URSI 2027 WIE (Women in Engineering) Session aims to highlight the achievements of female researchers and engineers active around the globe, while empowering and encouraging the next generation of young women to participate in STEM fields.
Marking only the second time this prestigious conference is held in Asia, a key highlight of this year's WIE session is its strong connection with the local community. On Thursday, June 24, 2027, we will host a special interactive program (click here to view PDF Program) connecting local high school students in Kyoto with researchers from all over the world.
The event will feature two main sessions:
- WIE Technical Special Session: Students will observe cutting-edge research presentations and experience the dynamic atmosphere of an international conference firsthand.
- WIE Reception & Next-Generation Exchange Session: This session includes presentations by high school students, insights into international STEM education experiences, and open networking between students, educators, and global researchers.
Through these activities, we seek not only to foster global academic exchange among experts, but also to provide local high school students and community members with a unique opportunity to explore future possibilities in science, technology, and engineering.
Message from WIE Committee Vice Chair - Charlotte Blair, Global Technical Support Leader, ANSYS, USA
Welcome to the IEEE AP-S/URSI 2027 Women in Engineering (WIE) Session! As Vice Chair, I am honored to join our global community in driving innovation, equity, and technical excellence.
Hosted in Kyoto, Japan—marking only the second time this prestigious conference visits Asia—our mission centers on celebrating the achievements of female researchers while empowering the next generation in STEM. Through world-class technical exchanges, mentorship, and local community outreach, we aim to build meaningful international connections, foster diversity in wireless engineering, and inspire young women to explore future possibilities in technology.
Whether you are presenting original research, networking with peers, or helping guide future leaders, we invite you to connect, collaborate, and shape an inclusive future for our field. We look forward to welcoming you to Kyoto!
Message from WIE Committee Vice Chair - Marie Garcia Vigueras
Message from WIE Committee Vice Chair - Fauziahanim Che Seman, Professor, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM), Malaysia
It is a pleasure to be part of the IEEE AP-S/URSI 2027 Women in Engineering (WIE) Committee. To me, WIE is about creating a community where women can connect, support one another, share experiences, and feel encouraged to pursue their aspirations in engineering and technology.
The fields of antennas, propagation, electromagnetics, and wireless technologies are constantly evolving, and there are many exciting opportunities ahead. At the same time, having a supportive community, good mentors, meaningful connections, and opportunities to learn from one another can make a real difference, especially for students and young professionals as they build their careers.
As we prepare for AP-S/URSI 2027 in Kyoto, I hope WIE can provide a welcoming space for everyone to meet new people, exchange ideas, celebrate achievements, and build lasting connections across academia, industry, and the IEEE community.
I look forward to working together with the committee to create meaningful activities that inspire, encourage, and bring our community closer. Most importantly, I hope we can leave AP-S/URSI 2027 with not only new knowledge, but also new friendships, collaborations, and inspiration for the journey ahead.
Message from WIE Committee Vice Chair - Zhizhang (David) Chen
Message from WIE Committee Secretaries
Lei Guo - Associate Professor, Dalian University of Technology, China
“I hope this WIE session will bring greater visibility to women's unique perspectives and contributions in engineering, and inspire more diverse voices to shape the future of innovation.”
Yuanfeng She - Senior Researcher, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST), Japan
"Antennas connect people from diverse backgrounds and help us build a better future together."
Yuko Rikuta - Specialist, Nihon Dengyo Kosaku Co., Ltd, Japan
“I hope the WIE program will provide opportunities for researchers, engineers, and students to connect and exchange ideas. I also hope it will inspire the next generation to explore science and engineering.”
Lizhao Song - Chancellor's Research Fellow, University of Technology Sydney, Australia
“As a woman in engineering, I believe that curiosity, courage, and determination empower us to break barriers, drive innovation, and create meaningful solutions for a better future.”
2. Introduction to WIE events
WIE Technical Special Session
Title: Diversity in Antennas and Wireless Technologies: From Inclusive Perspectives to Innovation
This special session highlights the contributions of women and the value of diversity in advancing antennas, propagation, and wireless technologies. It aims to provide an inclusive platform for researchers, engineers, educators, students, and industry professionals to exchange technical achievements, practical experiences, and future perspectives.
We invite original contributions addressing innovative antenna and wireless technologies, particularly research inspired by diverse user needs, experiences, and social perspectives. Relevant topics include, but are not limited to, antenna design and measurement, electromagnetic theory, radio-wave propagation, wireless power transfer, wearable and biomedical antennas, sensing and imaging, satellite and mobile communications, automotive wireless systems, and emerging technologies for 6G and beyond.
The session also welcomes studies and discussions on gendered innovations, inclusive engineering design, diversity in research teams, engineering education, career development, mentoring, leadership, and effective approaches for increasing the participation of women and underrepresented groups in antennas and wireless engineering.
By combining technical research with inclusive perspectives, this session seeks to identify new research challenges, encourage interdisciplinary collaboration, and promote wireless technologies that better respond to the needs of diverse individuals and communities.
WIE Reception & Next-Generation Exchange Session
The reception is expected to provide opportunities for researchers, engineers, students, and participants from various countries and backgrounds to interact and exchange ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. Planned activities may include networking, discussions on STEM education and career development, and sharing experiences related to diversity and inclusion in engineering and science.
As part of the event, the committee is also exploring the possibility of a High School Outreach Program. Local high school students may be invited to attend selected WIE activities and interact with researchers and engineers from around the world. The program may also include opportunities for student teams to present their own STEM-related projects, research activities, or learning experiences.
Through these activities, the WIE Committee hopes that young students will explore STEM fields, learn about international research communities, and build connections with researchers and engineers from different countries and cultures.
Details of the program will be announced as planning progresses.
For additional information, please contact the WIE Committee at wie@2027.apsursi.org.