A visually impaired view of the world in which we live - Diversity & Inclusion in the Workplace

Overview

This is the seventh in a series of online talks by engineers and technicians who live and work with disability on a daily basis.

Martin Griffin (CEng, FIMMM,CGeol, EurGeol, FGS, RoGEP)is a UK based Principal Geotechnical Engineer with the international multidisciplinary consultancy COWI based in their London office. He is neurodivergent, autistic and visually impaired who is passionate about diversity and inclusion in the workplace especially within the ground engineering sector. He is presently the COWI London EDI Office Champion with emphasis on diversity and inclusivity in construction and engineering. To date, he has 20+ years professional experience in working for several international consultancies; more recently he has been involved in ground engineering aspects of UK megaprojects. His interest for ground engineering stemmed from as a kid, when he started collecting minerals and rock samples and designing Lego mega-structures in his bedroom. Now, in his very 50s, he is living his dream, providing innovative and robust solutions for clients as either a Geotechnical Engineer or as an Engineering Geologist. He is a Chartered Geologist, Chartered Engineer, European Geologist and a Fellow of The Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining, Geological Society Scrutineer for chartership candidates, STEM Ambassador to local secondary schools and a Ground Forum / STEER mentor for underrepresented groups. Finally, in mid 2021 he was voted onto the Executive Committees of Ground Forum, Association of Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Specialists, Conctruct-Ability and elected to the Geological Society of London’s national Council. He is in the process of setting up and being the inaugural chairperson of Ably Different, a disability network group for Institute of Materials, Minerals & Mining members.