Professor Elsabe Kearsley has directly supported and motivated female students throughout the course of her academic career, supervising 13 full-time master’s and doctoral students last year, seven of whom were women. After working as a structural engineer in both the United Kingdom and her native South Africa, she returned to her alma mater as a member of staff in 1990 and has since served as a role model to women in various Stem fields – historically male-dominated spaces.

Kearsley understands the innate value of her work. Although she has written and published 106 peer-reviewed international journal and conference papers, she prides herself on her students most of all. Reflecting on the past three decades, she said, “I’ve realised that I have been directly involved in training nearly 3 000 civil engineers, with the ability to make a difference in South Africa by planning, designing and building much-needed infrastructure.”

Her work has served as a contribution to the very structure on which the nation is built, impacting countless more lives in turn. However, she has concerns about obstacles to the employment of these engineers.

It is heart-breaking to see engineering graduates emigrating because there are no job opportunities in South Africa.

Kearsley holds the earnest belief that removing these obstacles will not only aid South Africa’s infrastructure but also its economy.

She graduated from the University of Pretoria, where she has now taught for 30 years, and holds a PhD in engineering from the University of Leeds. Outside of her academic position, Kearsley serves as the vice-president of the South African Academy of Engineering. She’s also served two terms as the head of University of Pretoria’s civil engineering department and two terms as a member on the Engineering Council of South Africa.

She has proven that no obstacle is insurmountable to women who are driven to succeed and has undoubtedly inspired more to follow in her footsteps. Her advice to young women looking to build meaningful careers? “Be patient. It takes time to gain experience. And use any opportunities that come your way to ensure that you make a difference.”

—Cayleigh Bright

Twitter: @RenaldoSchwarp