Anglia Ruskin University to observe female scientists

ARU Peterborough is marking the International Day of Women and Girls in Science 2023 by hosting a free talk Celebrating Women in Science: Past, Present and Future.

The event, taking place on Friday, 17 February at 12.30pm, will see ARU Peterborough’s Dr Elizabeth Osoba highlight the success of female scientists in the UK.

Dr Osoba (pictured) will discuss the achievements of some of this country’s scientific trailblazers, including Daphne Jackson OBE, Britain’s first female professor of physics, who was born in Peterborough.

Professor Jackson was a world-leading expert in nuclear physics, and a blue plaque commemorating her life was unveiled at the site of her former school, the County Grammar School for Girls, in 2020.

Dr Osoba will also delve into the work of some of the UK’s current leading female scientists such as Kettering-born Dame Sarah Gilbert, who is Professor of Vaccinology at the University of Oxford. Professor Gilbert became a household name in 2020 for her role in co-designing the Oxford AstraZeneca Covid vaccine.

The event will include a question and answer session with female undergraduate scientists from ARU Peterborough, before opening up the conversation with the audience. Following the talk, visitors will be able to explore ARU Peterborough by taking part in a guided tour.

Dr Osoba, Senior Lecturer Practitioner in Science at ARU Peterborough, said:

“My talk is aimed at anyone with an interest in science, from its history to those who see it as a future career.

“The first part of my talk will cover female UK scientists past and present but the most exciting part will be hearing from the audience, as hopefully there will be plenty of girls attending who have ambitions of becoming future scientists themselves.

“If you are interested in how to start on the journey to developing a career within science, then this is the event for you!”