News and Events
Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
Inequalities and biases affect all aspects of the research system – from how funding is allocated to the peer-review process. This collection of articles highlights how systemic racism, gender bias and other forms of inequality have a negative impact on the research enterprise.
Read about the work eLife is doing to tackle inequalities in research and publishing
Picture a scientist
PICTURE A SCIENTIST chronicles the groundswell of researchers who are writing a new chapter for women scientists and was an official selection of the 2020 Tribeca Film Festival. Biologist Nancy Hopkins, chemist Raychelle Burks, and geologist Jane Willenbring lead viewers on a journey deep into their own experiences in the sciences, ranging from brutal harassment to years of subtle slights. Along the way, from cramped laboratories to spectacular field stations, we encounter scientific luminaries - including social scientists, neuroscientists, and psychologists - who provide new perspectives on how to make science itself more diverse, equitable, and open to all.
The annual Mary Pickford Lecture
2022 Mary Pickford Lecture/Alison Douglas Prize (best PhD thesis)
With Prof Maria Fitzgerald - 'Pain and the developing brain'
Professor Maria Fitzgerald, Professor of Developmental Neurobiology, UCL
Thursday 10th November, 13:00, Anatomy Lecture Theatre
Host: Prof David Wyllie
*** 'Women in Science' meeting with Maria at 11am - SIDB Boardroom. Tea, coffee and cakes - everyone welcome! ***
Memoir of Mary Pickford FRS commissioned by The Royal Society. By John F. B. Morrison and John A. Russell
Inspiring People 3 - Thursday 20 September 2018
The next Inspiring People event will take place on Thursday 20 September 2018.
Location- Wellcome Trust Auditorium, QMRI, Little France
Time- 09:30-16:30
The Deaneries of Molecular, Genetics & Population Health Sciences and Clinical Sciences form Edinburgh Clinical Medical School, and are holding this Inspiring People Day to encourage all staff and students to embrace and promote Equality and Diversity as the best way for everyone to achieve their career potential. This third Inspiring Day is relevant for EVERYONE.
The talks will address the strategies that are being used to ensure equality and diversity becomes embedded, and career stories from within and outwith the Deaneries will illustrate real life challenges and solutions.
Our Inspirational Speakers include:
- Professor Sir Jim Smith FRS (Director of Science at The Wellcome Trust)
- Prof. Sara Mole (University College London)
- Prof. Candy Rowe (University of Newcastle)
- Dr James Howie (Founder ASCUS Art and Science)
- Career Stories
Suffrage Science Award
Congratulations to Prof Catherina Becker, Director of the Centre for Neuroregeneration, who has been awarded one of the Suffrage Science Awards supported by the MRC.
The Suffrage Science scheme recognises ten female scientists and a science communicator, chosen for their scientific achievements and ability to inspire others. Women make up less than one-eighth of science academy membership globally and this award, set up five years ago by the MRC Clinical Sciences Centre at Imperial College London, celebrates women already in science and encourages others to enter scientific subjects, and to stay.
RELEVANT PUBLICATIONS:
Portraits Of Women In Science
Breakthrough is a short film anthology from Science Friday and Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) that follows women working at the forefront of their fields. Each episode blends deeply personal stories with innovative scientific research of women across STEM fields.
History of Women and Computers
One possible plug for the leaky pipeline
About Ben Barres
'I was born a woman. Thirteen years ago, at the age of 40, I decided to change my sex.'
Women in Neuroscience: A Call to Action
IWiN Toolkit: Candidate Recruitment and Evaluation
Anne-Marie Slaughter’s ‘Unfinished Business’
Three years ago, Anne-Marie Slaughter wrote an article for The Atlantic about the difficulty of career advancement for professional women with children. “Why Women Still Can’t Have It All,” which has now grown into “Unfinished Business,” electrified readers. Slaughter’s criticisms of workplace policies and attitudes were not new, but her article had the force of her own belated awakening to the problem.
Science faculty’s subtle gender biases favor male students
Female academics: don't power dress, forget heels – and no flowing hair allowed
Women need to be seen and heard at conferences
CAREER MANAGEMENT & TRAINING:
Institute for Academic Development - IAD
IAD The IAD offers a wide range of courses, advice and support for PhD students, post-docs and PIs. All free and very useful, so don’t hesitate to go!
Dual career programs (examples of such programs in Germany and US): Munich Dual Career Office and Dual-Career Assistance
ATHENA SWAN:
Athena SWAN - Recognising advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success for all.
VARIOUS:
Facebook page Women in Research
Project Implicit See how you get on in the Harvard Implicit Bias test about gender!
Female Conference Speaker Bingo
Inspiring the Future - Redraw the Balance video how children define career opportunities as male and female