Dragica Kostic-Perovic

Congratulations on being nominated in the Campaign’s Inspiring Women Awards in the Transforming Technology category. How are you feeling about it?

Thank you. I received the news with great warmth and humility. I welcome the opportunity it presents to highlight the innovative and impactful technology that Ricardo is delivering to the world!

Ricardo has a legacy of pushing the boundaries of technology, and you’ve been nominated for a category in the Transforming Technology category, which recognises those who have ignited positive change by introducing a new technology to the industry and contributing to the understanding of new technology. Can you give us an example of a project you’ve worked on that demonstrates this?

The project that inspired this nomination is Alumotor. Alumotor is a sustainable electric machine designed to operate without traditional critical raw materials such as rare earth magnets and copper. It is intended for electric and hybrid powertrain applications, as well as for wider industrial uses where a more sustainable, resource resilient solution is required.

You were the only engineer nominated in this category. Why is engineering such a critical part of technology transformation?

Technology transformation encompasses the incremental yet powerful advances that society makes to extend the boundaries of knowledge and translate that understanding into tangible applications that enrich our lives. Engineering is fundamental to this process. It provides the practical framework—the “how it is done”—that turns ambition and innovation into reliable, working solutions. Without engineering, technological transformation would remain theoretical rather than real.

Women are still underrepresented in STEM. Why do we need women and young girls to consider STEM careers?

To fully grasp the importance of this issue, it is necessary to understand the scale of underrepresentation of women across engineering disciplines, at all levels, and even more so within specialist fields such as automotive or aerospace. It is still entirely possible for a male engineer to spend an entire career without working alongside a female engineering colleague. This reality should prompt reflection. Greater diversity is not only a matter of fairness, but a necessity for healthy, innovative, and representative technological progress.

What excites you about Ricardo’s technology?

At Ricardo Automotive & Industrial, our work is focused on the technology trends shaping the energy transition across transport and industrial sectors.

Firstly, we are actively developing hydrogen and alternative zero carbon energy systems. This includes hydrogen fuel cell and hydrogen engine applications, as well as work on alternative fuels such as ammonia and methanol, particularly for sectors where full battery electrification is challenging. Our strength lies in combining system engineering capability with safety and regulatory insight to support real-world deployment.

In parallel, electrification and integrated electric and hybrid propulsion systems remain a core priority. We support customers with the design, integration, and optimisation of electric machines, power electronics, batteries, and complete electrified drivetrains, helping them deliver efficient, scalable, and production ready solutions across automotive, off-highway, rail, and industrial markets. We also help clients embed sustainability directly into engineering decisions by optimising efficiency, reducing critical material dependency, and assessing whole life carbon impacts.

Together, these themes reflect Ricardo A&I’s role as a system-level engineering partner, supporting end-to-end solutions as customers transition from early concepts to robust, low-carbon technologies that are ready for industrial adoption.