The recognition was announced in Berlin during InnoTrans, a major international trade fair dedicated to transport and railway mobility. Cecília Vale, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering and Geo-Resources (DECG) at FEUP, focuses her research on areas such as railway engineering, dynamics and maintenance, infrastructure optimization methodologies, and infrastructure asset management.
At FEUP, she teaches courses including Road Geometry, Road Pavements, and Railway Engineering. Her academic background includes a Master's and a PhD in Civil Engineering, both from FEUP, with theses concentrating on the structural behavior of pavements and the influence of track geometric quality on the dynamic performance of high-speed railway lines.
This international distinction highlights her scientific career focused on key challenges in contemporary railways, including safety, maintenance, optimization, and sustainable management of railway infrastructure.
The awards aim to highlight examples of excellence and the contribution of women in various areas of the railway sector, simultaneously promoting a more inclusive and attractive industry.
The Women in Rail Awards, established in 2022, are a joint initiative of several European entities, including the European Commission (Women in Transport Platform), Europe’s Rail Joint Undertaking (EU-Rail), and the European Union Agency for Railways (ERA). The 2026 awards ceremony took place as part of the Women in Mobility Luncheon.
On the same occasion, Magda Kopczyńska, Director-General for Mobility and Transport at the European Commission, emphasized the railway sector's need to "mobilize all available talent, skills, and experience to meet the future challenges of mobility".
In addition to Cecília Vale, awards were presented to Captrain (Women Empowerment and Leadership Award), Suzanne Flynn from Irish Rail (Next Generation in Rail Award), and Réka Németh from MÁV (Women in Rail Operations Award).
