On International Women’s Day, the University of 91̽ launched an initiative titled ‘Our People: Inspirational Women’. This new University-wide project aimed to showcase and celebrate women from across the University and increase the number of women represented in portraits and photography around campus.
Engineering academics Professor Lizzy Cross from Mechanical Engineering, Dr Katherine Fish from Civil & Structural Engineering and Dr Alice Pyne from Materials Science and Engineering were all selected to receive portraits from this important initiative.
Colleagues from across the University were invited to nominate the women who inspired them and share the academic and professional achievements and accolades as well as how they live the University’s values.
Over 320 nominations were received; a testament to the accomplishments, contributions and impact of women across the University.
A panel, made up of colleagues from across the University and a member of the University’s Council and a representative from the Students' Union, came together to discuss the nominations and selected 21 women to feature in a series of portraits. The special photography exhibition moved across the University’s main campus and Advanced Manufacturing Group.
Dr Katherine Fish, Research Fellow in Water Microbiology in Civil and Structural Engineering, said: “To have been considered for this initiative is such a privilege. On a professional level, it’s an honour to know that people are seeing the research I do and the way I do it and it’s resonating with them. On a personal level, I have chronic health conditions, and being a part of this initiative is evidence for myself that I’m not letting those chronic conditions hold me back. It shows me that despite those conditions, I can still do high-quality research and do so in a way that positively impacts others as well as research culture."
Dr Alice Pyne, Senior Lecturer and UK Research and Innovation Future Leaders Fellow in Materials Science and Engineering, said: “I am very honoured to be selected for this award alongside some truly amazing women and was very moved by my nominations. I truly enjoy the work I do to advocate for my communities and to push for change. I hope that next year we’ll be able to highlight more underrepresented people across the University.”
Read about Alice’s research on atomic force microscopy.
Read about Katherine’s research on microbial biofilms.
Learn more about Lizzy’s work.