…ow humans. How would you describe your experience as a woman scientist? Early on in my career I don’t think I really felt defined by gender. As I got older, I found it frustrating to see so many of my talented female colleagues leave the profession because they couldn’t make the long hours and short-term contracts work for them. Personally, once I became a mother I found that I lost confidence in my research and re-gaining that has been an uphill…
…nd muttered as she left. I’ve worked in female-dominated and much more family-friendly environments since then – I’d be very surprised to encounter that sort of attitude towards a parent (male or female) in my current working life. Which barriers would you say exist to you as a woman scientist and how can we overcome them? Alongside my day job, I contribute to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion work within the University, and so I’m well aware of g…
…. What made you want to become a scientist/academic? I come from a completely non-academic family. My father worked in a steel factory and my brother is a carpenter. I went to a big, urban state comprehensive school where I discovered that I was passionately interested in biology. I had no idea what sort of jobs might be open to me at that point, but I had a general idea that science might present more opportunities to me than history and English,…
…any problems we have faced in our work. It helps to know we are not the only ones who are going through any difficulties. We also help the newly joined women manoeuvre the process till they ease into the flow of work and the system. Why is it important to empower women in science? Even excluding all the greater reasons, performing science in itself is thrilling, exciting and in its own way akin to magic. It hurts me to know some girl child would…
…s. Did you have any role models/anyone that inspired you while you were early in your career? No one person really, but the late Prof David Beadle, who became Head of Biology soon after I joined Brookes, was instrumental in supporting and helping me to establish my research in the department. How would you describe your experience as a woman scientist? I have never experienced any issues except when going through the process of spin out; there was…
…d! Did you have any role models/anyone that inspired you while you were early in your career? My honours project (which is a year of pure research in Australia) was on biodiversity in intertidal habitats, and was supervised by Professor Gee Chapman, who is a world leading marine ecologist. To date, this year was the steepest learning curve I have ever endured. She held me accountable for my project and was strict but fair. That year was incredibly…
…y. Did you have any role models/anyone that inspired you while you were early in your career? Early in my career, my PhD supervisor was very encouraging. He had a big impact on creating a very positive experience for me as a researcher and I’m very grateful to him for this. How would you describe your experience as a woman scientist? Overall, it has been a very good experience and I have enjoyed having such an engaging and interesting role. I’m fo…
…vidual, distanced (2m+) workstations for all students. This could then safely deliver socially distanced 1st and 2nd year classes where additional precautions (such as fume hoods) were not required. Furthermore, classes were then taught in weekly bubbles to minimise mixing. Overall this nomination is for all Staff in the Schools of Science and Engineering but particularly the technical staff who had the vision to make this happen and ensure the sa…
…s – and above all had loads of fun. Amazing energy, positivity, fantastically professional – and a bit mad. Anglia Ruskin University admissions team– for generating team spirit, support and connectivity through virtual activities. Over the course of the last year the Admissions Team have had fortnightly meetings on Teams which have consisted of business but fun and team building activities. Meeting themes have included a Bake Off competition w…
…edia’s understanding of where experts come from, says Marverine: “It’s mainly that my journalism students think that ‘we only need to approach scientific researchers from Durham, Oxford, Cambridge’….but we have so many expert people across the Alliance, it’s crazy not to use them.” Chairing the event, Chair of University Alliance Professor Debra Humphris noted that “we’re on the beginning of a three year journey and we’re all about powering a more…
