International Day of Women and Girls in Science

Monday 11th February marks the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2019, a day which works towards achieving full and equal access for the participation of women and girls in scientific fields. The day is linked to the 2030 Agenda promise to “leave no one behind” and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of gender equality, reduced inequalities and quality education.

Data from the UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UIS) shows that less than 30% of researchers in the world are women, with only 38.6% of researchers in the United Kingdom being female. According to a 2017 study, only 35% of all STEM students are female. Data such as this suggests that there is a need for greater inclusion of women and girls in science within higher education, from undergraduate to post-doctoral level.

The University of York was the first Yorkshire university to win the Athena SWAN bronze award, celebrating the University’s commitment to the representation, progression and success of female researchers across the sciences, humanities and social sciences. The Departments of Biology and Chemistry each hold Athena SWAN gold awards, with other departments across the University holding bronze and silver awards.

At the IGDC, we are committed to ensuring the continuing participation of women and girls in science. With around 42 women working with and within the centre across a range of research areas, including projects on environmental science, healthcare and data management, we are helping to build an inclusive environment which celebrates the work of women. Our new PhD programme in Interdisciplinary Global Development will encourage the next generation of women to work within scientific fields through the use of interdisciplinary approaches to major global challenges.

Spotlight on Women in Science at the IGDC

Alice Megaw

Research Assistant, Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre (IGDC)

Alice Megaw is a research assistant with the IGDC’s Working with NGO Data for More Inclusive Development project. She holds a BSc in Ecology and Conservation from the University of St Andrews, and an MSc in Environmental Economics and Environmental Management from the University of York. Alice also has experience with a variety of civil science and research projects, including St Andrews Bioblitz, Cefas and the Sri Lanka Wildlife Conservation Society.

https://youtu.be/jZGLp0q_GLE

Noortje Uphoff

Research Fellow, ‌Centre for Reviews and Dissemination, Health Sciences

Noortje Uphoff works for the Cochrane Common Mental Disorder group at the University of York. She manages a portfolio of systematic reviews and projects relating to mental health prevention, health inequalities, global mental health and comorbidity of mental and physical health. She holds a BS in Biomedical Sciences and and MS in Health Technology Assessment from Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands, and a PhD in Social Epidemiology from the University of York.

https://youtu.be/WTAdJ7QkA48

Written by Eleanor Oliver, Research and Communications Assistant, Interdisciplinary Global Development Centre (IGDC) and Third Year History student at the University of York.