Hayley, Sarah and more women studying engineering awarded for inspiring work

The Women in Engineering Alumni Awards included special recognitions for student engineers making an impact.

Published on the 20 July 2026

Dr Gunilla Burrowes (Ada Lovelace Medal winner), Sarah Muller and Hayley Jiang (joint Inspiring Student Award winners), Dr Marlene Kanga AO (keynote speaker), and Professor Julien Epps (Dean of Engineering, UNSW) at the UNSW Women in Engineering Alumni Awards.

🏆 About the UNSW Women in Engineering Alumni Awards

The UNSW Women in Engineering Alumni Awards are part of an ongoing commitment by UNSW's Faculty of Engineering, by far the nation's largest, to attract more women to the profession and support a more inclusive engineering community.

"These awards recognise excellence across every stage of an engineering journey, from students already making a difference to established leaders whose work is shaping industries and communities."

Professor Julien Epps
Dean of UNSW Engineering

Inspiring Student Award winners

The Inspiring Student Award was jointly presented to Hayley Jiang and Sarah Mullins. They both received their awards from The Hon. Jodie Harrison MP, NSW Government Minister for Women, Minister for Seniors, and Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault.

Hayley Jiang

Hayley is currently studying Chemical Engineering and was nominated for exceptional leadership, innovation, and commitment to community.

She has served as Team Lead on the Redback Racing student project and delivered its first ever technical workshop series and driver academy program, focused on building confidence, skills, and community with female and gender-diverse engineering students.

Her extensive work in the UNSW Health Promotions Unit has helped improve the health literacy of students and she has also authored equity, diversity, and inclusion workshops in partnership with the Faculty of Engineering to other student leaders.

Sarah Mullins

Sarah is currently studying for a master's degree in Space Systems Engineering and was nominated for her engagement with and mentoring of high school and undergraduate students, while actively promoting STEM in her community.

During her undergraduate studies in Aerospace Engineering and Geography she was recognised on the Engineering Dean's Honours List, conducted research with the Climate Change Research Centre and the Atlas of Living Australia, and worked as an acoustics consultant with GHD.

Her Honours thesis was among the earliest research into low-earth-orbit laser-beaming space-based solar power. Following graduation, Sarah spent three years working in naval sustainment, building skills in Integrated Logistics Support.

Since beginning her postgraduate studies, she has spoken on in-orbit sustainment at the Space Generations SGx conference in Washington DC, and contributed to an industry white paper through the AYAA Astra program.

She is also an active member of the Young Engineers Australia Sydney committee, which supports students and young professionals find their place in the engineering industry.

Recognising the contributions of diverse perspectives in engineering

Professor Julien Epps, Dean of UNSW Engineering, said: "I warmly congratulate all the 2026 winners for their outstanding achievements and inspiring leadership."

"Their achievements are a powerful reminder of the talent, creativity and commitment among women, non-binary and gender diverse students, alumni and industry leaders, and of the importance of continuing to build an engineering profession where everyone can thrive."

Professor Rita Henderson, Deputy Dean (Societal Impact and Translation) at UNSW's Faculty of Engineering, and a member of the selection committee, added: "The Women in Engineering Alumni Awards are more than a moment of recognition; they are a way of making excellence visible and showing what becomes possible when talent is supported, included and celebrated.

"Equity, diversity and inclusion are essential to the future of engineering because the challenges our profession is asked to solve affect every part of society. We need teams that bring different experiences, perspectives and ways of thinking to that work."

"UNSW Engineering has an important role to play in championing that change"

"By recognising these outstanding students, alumni and leaders, we hope to help create a profession where women, non-binary and gender diverse people can see a place for themselves, progress with confidence, and shape engineering for the benefit of all."