Volunteer Spotlight: Gordana Collier and the Power of Giving Back to Engineering

Volunteering often sits quietly behind professional success stories. In the case of Gordana Collier, it has been a defining thread, shaping both her career and the communities she serves.

Gordana began volunteering with the IET in 2011 as an Academic Accreditor. Over time, her involvement expanded to include committee membership, work on the Awards and Scholarships Committee, and service on the Future Talent Awards Panel. Her journey reflects the depth and variety of opportunities available within professional volunteering.

A demanding role beyond volunteering

Outside her IET activities, Gordana leads a busy professional life as Head of the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics at Oxford Brookes University. Recently, she oversaw a major relocation project, bringing her School into two new buildings at the centre of Oxford.

Her role balances day-to-day operations with long-term strategy. Industry collaboration, particularly within high-performance motorsport, sits alongside academic leadership and brand development.

Such complexity requires structured thinking and accountability, values reinforced in professional environments through foundations like health and safety training for engineers, which shape leadership as much as technical practice.

A lifelong commitment to volunteering

Gordana’s path into volunteering was shaped early by a strong ethos of service and a passion for science. After studying in Serbia and working in industry, she transitioned into academia, motivated by a desire to support and develop future engineers.

Joining accreditation volunteering allowed her to contribute to academic standards in the UK and internationally. Alongside this, she became deeply involved in STEM outreach, founding initiatives such as Robo-club and the Space Satellite Club.

Her work extended to organising Engineer Your Future events, Faraday Challenges, Big Bang activities, and most recently, International Women in Engineering celebrations for girls aged 7 to 9.

Creating opportunity through inspiration

One particularly impactful event featured the Iron Dames, an all-female motorsport initiative competing at European level. Hearing directly from drivers Marta Garcia and Vannina Ickx gave young students a powerful sense of what is possible.

These experiences were not framed as exceptional stories, but as achievable pathways. Gordana emphasises confidence, curiosity, and resilience, qualities that engineering education must actively nurture.

Such engagement relies on clear messaging and relatable role models. In structured professional settings, this is supported by effective communication in construction and engineering, ensuring ideas resonate beyond technical detail.

Volunteering as professional development

For Gordana, volunteering has directly shaped her career. Years of involvement in accreditation panels provided insight into academic standards and quality assurance, influencing her approach to programme design and leadership at Oxford Brookes.

Equally important has been engagement with students and early-career engineers. These interactions reinforce her commitment to education and continuous improvement.

This reciprocal value reflects a broader truth: volunteering strengthens both individuals and institutions. Transparency and reflection are essential to that process, echoed in accountability tools such as a training provider reviews page that captures lived experience.

Advice for new volunteers

When asked what advice she would offer to new IET volunteers, Gordana is clear. Volunteering gives back more than it takes. It offers collaboration, inspiration, and the opportunity to make a tangible difference.

This perspective reframes volunteering not as an obligation, but as a pathway to growth.

Fast cars and future engineers

Outside academia and volunteering, Gordana runs Oxford Brookes Racing, the university’s Formula Student team. The project combines technical challenge with mentorship, preparing students for careers at the highest level of motorsport.

Many graduates now work across Formula One teams worldwide, a source of immense pride.

This outcome reinforces the broader value of engineering pathways that combine theory, practice, and mentorship, supporting arguments around why engineering and trade careers remain a strong long-term choice in a competitive global landscape.

A journey still unfolding

Gordana’s volunteering journey continues to evolve. Her impact is felt through accreditation standards, student opportunity, and professional inspiration. Her story illustrates how volunteering strengthens the engineering profession from the inside out, quietly shaping futures long before outcomes become visible.