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The Rising Network - ONLINE EVENT: Women Rising in STEM: Past, Present & Future

The Rising Network is proud to launch Women Rising in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) - a series of industry-focused discussions and interactive mentoring events, spotlighting on the progression of women in STEM. We are delighted that this event is part of the Cambridge Science Festival.

***This is now an online event due to Coronavirus, please note that the format of the event has been adjusted slightly to turn this event into an online webinar***

The launch of this new series within the Rising Network will take place across the month of March in recognition of International Women's Day on 8th March. The aim of the series is to provide mentoring support to women, including aspiring students right through to those who have a career in industry, with access to women of influence who have broken barriers and industry professionals who are driving innovation and diversity.

Women Rising in STEM provides the opportunity to network and learn with industry experts who have been successful in navigating their career, gaining insight into how they overcame obstacles. Through this series, the Rising Network aims to work in collaboration with industry to encourage women, to not only choose to enter industry where their talents make a massive difference, but to remain in industry, to address the growing skills gap and to increase the representation of women in STEM.

Women have always played a hugely important role in the advancement of science, yet often their contribution has been hidden from history.

Thankfully, this is now changing against a background of increased awareness of the importance of diversity and inclusion and the advent of a younger, more confident generation entering into science and demanding the recognition they deserve. As a result of this, the momentum for change is unstoppable. Yet the research shows that women are leaving the profession, due to a perceived lack of opportunities for career progression, coupled with a limited vision of what career paths might be available outside of traditional laboratory-based roles.

Having a positive role model can make a big difference in helping to stop this leakage.

Within the context of a multi-generational workforce, sharing stories of achievement from successful women at different stages of their career, can provide a compelling reason for women to stay within the scientific profession. Therefore, it supports a much-needed pipeline, celebrating and learning from the experience of the past, building on the opportunities of the present and fulfilling the promise of the future.

This event will see three inspirational female scientists, including one who has been awarded an OBE, tell their stories about their science journey, including overcoming obstacles along the way, and how they have - and are - contributing to the body of scientific knowledge while enjoying rich and rewarding careers.

Talk 1: "STEM Careers in Cool Places" - Dr Beatrix Schlarb-Ridley, Director of Innovation and Impact at British Antarctic Survey

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the discovery of Antarctica. Beatrix will highlight the progress that has been made in women accessing opportunities in this traditionally male-dominated environment, and will provide insights into the breadth of careers that women with STEM backgrounds can now choose in polar science and operations, illustrating this with her own career journey. She will share opportunities we all can seize to both grow and help others to grow, and increase diversity and inclusion in each of our spheres of influence.

Talk 2: "Making the most of opportunities" - Dr Jane K Osbourn OBE, VP Research and Development of MedImmune, Chair of the Board of Directors of the BioIndustry Association (BIA), Director of Babraham Bioscience Technologies & Director of Cambridge Enterprise

My career has been dedicated to the development of medicines that make a real difference to patients' lives. I was very fortunate to begin working on antibody therapies early at a time when the technologies and approaches had great promise but were still unproven and I learnt a huge amount for being involved in this field at this particular time. It has been a interesting journey with many challenges and opportunities along the way. It is important to focus on the opportunities and always keep your longer term goals in mind to build a rewarding career in science.

Talk 3: "Reflection of my career in STEM" - Dr Julia Wilson, Associate Director, Wellcome Sanger Institute

Julia Wilson will be covering a personal account of herself, her career, the choices that she made, the struggles and successes. This talk will touch on ambition, balancing life and work, changing careers, changing priorities and unexpected challenges.

Agenda:

17:30 - Event start and welcome from the Rising Network Chapter Lead

17:40 - Talks and mentoring

19:45 - Event close

This is an online event - please see below instructions to join the online meeting room.

We hope you can join us online for a night of inspiration and hear from speakers on how they will #PayItForward to create a more inclusive world.

As with all our events, we pride ourselves in creating a relaxed and welcoming environment to enable meaningful relationships and connections to be made. We look forward to seeing you at the event!

Thank you to our Ally Partner Arm and Anglia Ruskin University for supporting the launch of Women Rising in STEM.

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES - If you would like to sponsor this event or a similar event, get in touch with lily@therisingnetwork.com

Join the Rising Network to help you to:

Get outside your comfort zone and expand your network by creating new relationships.

Gain ideas and inspiration to drive your professional and personal development forward.

Learn and build your leadership and business skills.

Raise your profile and business to prospective customers.

Work through personal or professional challenges in a safe and supportive environment.

Empower yourself by learning tools and techniques to create positive changes in life, at work and at home.

Develop your presenting and networking skills in a safe and supportive environment.

At the Rising Network we run events throughout the year and membership offers you member benefits plus free to attend/member rates to attend events. See membership benefits HERE

Check out what's happening in the network here: https://therisingnetwork.com/events/

Event Organised By

The Rising Network

www.therisingnetwork.com

A vibrant network empowering women to reach their true potential. We do this by creating a supportive learning environment online and at face to face events where tools, strategies and techniques can be learnt, enabling women to advance both professionally and personally.