Four STEM leaders receive highest honour from the IET

Navjot Sawhney is Founder and CEO of The Washing Machine Project, an organisation developing sustainable, off-grid washing solutions for people living in low-income, remote and displaced communities. He studied Aerospace Engineering at Queen Mary University of London and began his engineering career at Dyson.

Seeking to use engineering to address humanitarian challenges, he later volunteered with Engineers Without Borders UK in South India. Inspired by the hours of physically demanding handwashing he witnessed while volunteering there, Navjot developed the Divya, a manual washing machine designed to reduce the time, effort and water required to wash clothes without relying on electricity.

He founded The Washing Machine Project in 2019 and since then, Navjot and his team have worked with communities across multiple countries, reaching more than 100,000 people. His work has received international recognition, including a George H.W. Bush Points of Light Award and recognition from TIME and Fast Company.

On receiving this accolade, Navjot said: “This is a really proud moment for me. The Washing Machine Project began with a simple promise to help reduce the time and physical effort people spend washing clothes by hand. To see that idea grow into a solution that is making a difference in communities around the world is incredibly rewarding. 

“This Honorary Fellowship is really a recognition of everyone who has helped make this journey possible - and of the belief that engineering is a vehicle for positive change that can create meaningful and lasting impact. I hope to inspire a new generation of engineers to place humanity at the heart of their profession too.”

Dame Wendy Hall DBE FRS FREng is a computer scientist, academic and influential voice on the development and governance of the internet, artificial intelligence and emerging technologies. She is Regius Professor of Computer Science at the University of Southampton, Associate Vice President for International Engagement and Director of its Web Science Institute. 

A pioneer in multimedia and hypermedia research, Dame Wendy developed the Microcosm hypermedia system in the 1980s, work that helped lay important foundations for the technologies that preceded the World Wide Web. In 2006, she co-founded the Web Science Research Initiative with Sir Tim Berners-Lee and Sir Nigel Shadbolt, helping establish Web Science as an interdisciplinary field examining the technology, people and society surrounding the web. 

Dame Wendy has held numerous influential national and international leadership positions. She was the first person from outside North America to serve as President of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), was Senior Vice President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, President of the British Computer Society and a member of the UK Prime Minister's Council for Science and Technology. 

Her work has increasingly focused on artificial intelligence, data, technology policy and responsible innovation. She co-chaired the UK Government's 2017 AI Review, became the UK's first AI Skills Champion and served as Chair of the Ada Lovelace Institute. In 2023, she was appointed to the United Nations' high-level advisory body on artificial intelligence.

A passionate advocate for women in science, engineering and technology, Dame Wendy has used her leadership positions to promote greater diversity and opportunity across the sector. Her contribution has been recognised through numerous honours, including a DBE, Fellowship of the Royal Society and Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Earlier this year, she was appointed President of the British Science Association for 2026–27 and awarded the Sir Frank Whittle Medal.

Dame Wendy said: “I am honoured to receive this Honorary Fellowship. It is particularly meaningful to see computer science and its contribution to engineering recognised in this way. As we look ahead to an increasingly AI-driven world, I believe strongly that safety, environmental and societal considerations must be at the heart of how we design and develop these technologies. I hope that the impact of my work and influence can help shape not only technological progress but also the culture and future direction of the profession itself.

“I’d like this accolade to highlight the importance of diversity and hope it encourages the next generation of women and young people to see engineering and computer science as fields in which they can make a real difference.”

Martin van den Brink is a Dutch engineer who played a central role in the development of 

ASML and, more broadly, modern semiconductor lithography. He joined ASML in 1984, the year the company was founded, initially working in engineering. He became Vice President of Technology in 1994, joined the Board of Management in 1999, and ultimately served as President and Chief Technology Officer (CTO).

During his career, Martin has been a key engineering leader who helped turn several highly complex technologies - including dual-stage scanning, immersion lithography, EUV and integrated metrology and computational lithography - into manufacturable systems. His career spans much of ASML's technological evolution from the PAS 5500 era to the EUV generation, helping advance lithography systems that underpin the manufacture of some of the world's most sophisticated devices.

Martin retired from his roles as President and CTO in April 2024 and remains an adviser to ASML.

Martin said: “I’d like to thank the IET for this recognition – it means a great deal to me. Throughout my career I have been fortunate enough to have been at some of the most significant technological breakthroughs of the modern era, and played a pivotal role alongside my team in advancing lithography systems that form the foundation for manufacturing some of the world’s most complex technology.

“That being said, I hope that the impact of my work extends far beyond technological innovation and inspires generations of engineers to transform ambitious scientific concepts into practical industrial reality so that they too can make a lasting impact on society.”

Stephen Long IEng MIET has been a member of the IET for more than four decades and has demonstrated an exceptional dedication to the practice and promotion of engineering, together with a longstanding commitment to supporting and developing fellow engineers.  

A member throughout its evolution from the IProdE and IMfgE, through the IEE and into today’s IET, Stephen has held a variety of roles, including serving on Council in the 1990s, representing Incorporated Engineers through the Associates Working Committee, and contributing to the IEE Millennium Strategy on behalf of the Western Centre.

As a Manufacturing Engineer himself, Stephen has contributed to the Manufacturing Division and Manufacturing Technical Network. Locally, he has been an active member of the IET Somerset and West Wiltshire Network for 35 years, including serving as Chair in the mid-2010s.

During this time, Stephen has helped organise hundreds of events for members and the wider engineering community. His contribution reflects not only an impressive depth of experience, but also an enduring enthusiasm for engineering, professional development and the value of bringing engineers together.

Stephen said: “I feel very grateful to receive Honorary Fellowship from an institution so close to my heart. I’ve always felt that my work with the IET has been about being part of a team, supporting colleagues and doing whatever I can to help the institution and engineering succeed.

“I’ve had the privilege of working with some fantastic people over the years, and their commitment, knowledge and friendship have made it so rewarding. To receive this recognition for my contribution and commitment means a great deal to me. Thank you to everyone who has supported me along the way - I’m very proud to have played a part in the important work the IET does.”

On awarding the Honorary Fellowships, IET President Sam Hubbard added: "These remarkable individuals have demonstrated excellence in their field, made significant contributions to our profession, and inspired others through their knowledge, vision and dedication. On behalf of the IET, I am honoured to recognise and celebrate their incredible achievements by awarding them one of our highest distinctions – Honorary Fellowship. A huge congratulations to them all.”

All four Honorary Fellows joined the IET on Thursday 8 October at its iconic London venue, Savoy Place, to sign the Roll of Honours. Navjot, Dame Wendy, Martin and Stephen join an esteemed list of Honorary Fellows at the IET including Major Tim Peake, Carol Vorderman, Maggie Aderin-Pocock and will.i.am.