Archives
Events Archive
2008
Prof Jacquie Burgess
"Breaking through: women and the academic life"
Dr Sara Connolly
"Moving down: women’s part-time employment and
occupational downgrading in Britain"
Thursday 15 May 2008, 12.30 to 2pm, Elizabeth Fry Building Room 01.15 (lecture theatre)
Women Researchers’ Networking Event + Lunch
Tuesday 30th October, 12.30 to 2pm, Zicer Suite, Env
Discovery Café – 12.30 start
Developing conversations with other women researchers about……
- Work-Life Balance – is this possible in the Research Environment?
- Inspirational work – what inspires you to work in Research?
- What issues affect women in the research workplace?
An opportunity to network with other women researchers and inform forthcoming ResNet Events 2007/8.
Events Archive
2007
Professor Julia Goodfellow: ‘A lab of one’s own’
Thursday 17th May, 12:30-14:00, John Innes Centre Seminar room G34/35
Prof. Julia Goodfellow, (Chief Executive, BBSRC) will talk about her research as a crystallographer, her leadership of the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and her views on biology and biologists in the 21st century.
‘Women and International Relations’
Thursday 8th February, 12:30-14:00, Zicer seminar room, UEA
Dr Nicola Pratt from the School of Political, Social and International studies will talk about why women have traditionally been marginalised in the realms of international politics and why this situation is gradually changing. “Have old men in suits finally woken up to the need for gender equality in ALL areas of life? How can we explain these developments and are they good for women?”
Confidence and Self-esteem building workshop
Wednesday 14th March, 12:00-14:00, seminar room G34, John Innes Centre
Hilary Lewis of Creative Training (www.creative-training.org) is running a special one-off workshop for ResNet members, aimed at building confidence and self-esteem. The workshop promises to be practical, inspirational and fun. This taster course is a chance for people to concentrate on themselves for a change and gain a new perspective on their lives.
Confidence helps you:
- Do what you want to do in life and work
- Communicate in a positive way
- Open your eyes to your potential
- See the world in a fresh light
- Reassess the significance of things
Creative training guides you through a process of short, practical and easy exercises that give you ideas to help you develop the skills to take more control of your life and start making things happen. It helps you to develop positive body language, look at real life situations and how to approach them with confidence. Through sharing our thoughts and experiences, the course is designed to help people help themselves and is both fun and challenging. The atmosphere is supportive, friendly and safe, providing a learning experience to encourage you to think about your own behaviour and that of those around you.
Hilary has over 20 years of professional experience as an actor, director, teacher and communication coach. You may have witnessed her in action at the fantastic workshop ‘Putting the fun into presentation skills,” held at the Institute of Food research in November, on behalf of the Norfolk Network.
“I have found Hilary to be an inspirational workshop leader, with a great variety of experience. She handles different types of people well and enables everyone to participate. She inspires confidence in even the most unconfident person.”
Monica Porter, life coach.
Mary Turner, Author, ‘The Women’s Century: a celebration of changing roles 1900-2000’
Thursday 30th November, 12:30-14:00, Zicer seminar room, UEA
Learn more about the major causes of change in the roles of women in the UK, in the twentieth century. Hear fascinating stories of the struggles and achievements of particular women whose efforts have made our lives richer, like Flora Sandes WWI soldier extraordinaire. Now women can supposedly ‘Have it all’, what direction will the role of women take in the twenty-first century?
For further information about the issues covered in Mary’s book go to: www.her-stories.co.uk
UK Resource Centre for Women in SET – ‘Raising the profile of Women – Why bother?’
Friday 6th October, 12:30-14:00, Seminar room G34/35, John Innes Centre
Why would women working or studying in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) get involved?
Join Erica Williams and Pat Morton from the UKRC (http://www.setwomenresource.org.uk/) for an informative and interactive session covering the following topics:
- Raising the profile of Women in SET – how?
- Get SET women database (www.getsetwomen.org.uk)– why?
- History and success of the UKRC – what has been done?
- Services and support offered by the UKRC – can we help you?
- Future goals and strategy of the UKRC – where to next?
- Current activities – how can you help play a part in SET?
It is the mission of the UK Resource Centre for Women in SET to ‘establish a dynamic centre that provides accessible, high quality information and advisory services to industry, academia, professional institutes, education and Research Councils within SET and built environment professionals, whilst supporting women entering and progressing in SET careers’.
Natascha Scott-Stokes: pioneering traveller and biographer of
famous butterfly collector Margaret Fountaine
Friday 5th September, 12:30-14:00, Hickling room, Institute of Food Research
Natascha Scott-Stokes (first woman to travel the length of the Amazon river alone, author of ‘An Amazon and a donkey’ and 8 travel guide books) will discuss her biography ‘Wild and Fearless: the life of Margaret Fountaine’. Margaret Fountaine (1862-1940) was the most famous butterfly collector of her generation, as well as a very fine artist. Her 22,000 butterfly collection is housed at the Norwich Castle Museum and her 4 sketch books of butterfly life-cycles are held at the Natural History Museum in London.
Originally from Norfolk, Margaret Fountaine travelled all over the world and became an expert in tropical butterfly life cycles. However, her work has largely been forgotten, as since her death at the beginning of World War Two great changes have taken place in all science fields, including entomology, which has led to a focus on theorists over taxonomists and academically trained scientists over self-taught experts in the field. Margaret also failed to network with establishment figures during her lifetime and hated socialising in ‘polite society’. Margaret Fountaine was an extraordinary free spirit who used her professional expeditions to lead a double life that only came to light when her private diaries were unsealed in 1978.
The Norwich Castle Museum will host the launch of Natascha’s biography this September and will also present a small temporary collection from the Fountaine-Neimy collection.
ResNet BA festival of Science event:
‘Women in science - fulfilment or frustration?’
Tuesday 5th September 16:00-18:00, followed by a Reception, Drama Studio, UEA
We have a fantastic panel of national high profile scientists confirmed for this event – see below. We are also delighted to announce that the session will be chaired by Jenni Murray (BBC Woman’s Hour) who has previous form on this subject having recently chaired the UK Resource Centre’s 2nd Annual Conference on ‘Gender and Leadership – Transforming the Culture of Science, Engineering and Technology’.
We promise a lively event which will start with a short presentation by Dr Sara Connolly (ECO). She will set the scene for the panel debate and Q&A session by presenting the stark statistics on women in science, and a summary of her analysis of recent research data focusing on the factors associated with a successful career in science and why the experiences of men and women in the profession differ so significantly.
A Panel debate on dilemmas and difficulties facing young scientists today will follow. Come along prepared with your question to put to the Panel and join us afterwards for refreshments at the Reception. Frances Cairncross (BA Festival President) will be there to launch the 3rd Athena ASSET survey of professional scientists.
There will be a Poster display plus the Photographic Exhibition of the winners of the UKRC ‘Inspirational Women’ 2006 Awards, two of whom are on our panel.
Details of how to book and the full Festival Programme can be found at the BA Festival site www.bafestivalnorwich.com which can be entered with the username: bafestival, and the password: nrp. Free passes for all NRP staff are available.
Panel members:
Prof. Jocelyn Bell Burnell CBE (Astro-physicist, Visiting Professor Oxford University)
Prof. Julia Goodfellow (Chief Executive BBSRC)
Prof. Peter Main (Director of Education & Science, Institute of Physics)
Dr Ian Gibson (MP for Norwich North)
Dr Irene Lorenzoni (Lecturer in Environmental Sciences, UEA)
Dr Jo Dicks (Research Group Leader, Computational Biology, John Innes Centre)
Panel Chairperson: Jenni Murray (Broadcaster, Presenter BBC Radio 4 Women’s Hour and The Message)
Events Archive
2006
“A short History of an Engineering Woman”
Wednesday 7th June 2006, 12.30-14.00, Zicer Seminar Room (UEA)
Claire Curtis Thomas MP will talk about her career in engineering and industry and her involvement with the Women In Science, Engineering and Design All Party Parliamentary Group (WISED).
Claire trained as an engineer at University College Cardiff and became a Labour MP for Crosby, Merseyside in 1997. She moved into politics from her role as Business and Engineering dean at the University of Wales and was the first women professional engineer to enter the House of Commons in the history of the British Parliament.
Married with three children, Claire’s twenty years experience of working in engineering and industry made her an invaluable member of the House of Commons Science and Technology Select Committee from 1997 to 2001. In June 2005 Claire set up WISED, which she now chairs, with the remit of promoting the role of women in science, engineering and design, developing public policy to facilitate greater equality and to work with business and the voluntary sector to improve recruitment and retention of women in this sector.
‘The Importance of Networking’
21st April 2006, UEA
More than 60 women researchers from UEA, JIC & IFR gathered to mark the re-launch of ResNet. Inspired by guest speaker Dr Nancy Lane OBE, senior neurobiologist at Cambridge University and director of the university’s project on Women In Science (WISETI), attendees networked enthusiastically sharing experiences and ideas over wine and food.
The slides to accompany Nancy’s presentation and photos taken during the event can be found via the following links:
Networking tips.pdf
(PowerPoint presentation)
ResNet re-launch event:
Friday 21st April 2006, 12.15-14.00, Zicer Seminar Room (UEA)
"It's not what you know, it's who you know"
Mixing socially, otherwise known as networking, is essential to the academic process because this is how researchers find inspiration and new ideas. Contacts made through networking are vital to career progression. Come to this ResNet relaunch event where Dr Nancy Lane, OBE (Cambridge neurobiologist & current chair of the Athena project for the advancement of women in SET) will discuss 'The Importance of Networking' and give practical advice.
A light lunch will be provided. Prior booking essential.
Re-launch photo gallery
Events Archive
2005
‘Gender Bias still in Science’
Tuesday 13th September 2005, UEA
The 2003-2004 Athena ASSET surveys (Athena Survey of Science Engineering and Technology), undertaken by Jan Anderson of UEA, revealed that men still occupy the lion’s share of top academic positions in science, leaving their female counterparts feeling undervalued and discouraged.
The survey asked over 6000 lecturers, professors and project leaders from more than 40 UK universities and scientific research institutes, about participation in activities that may influence career progression, their career aspirations and expectations, and perceptions of the barriers to the advancement of women in SET.
Jan presented her findings at the September ResNet meeting, prompting an interesting and lively discussion amongst attendees concerning personal experiences, the local implications of the results and how they could be used to argue for change.
The full ASSET survey report and slides to accompany Jan’s presentation can be found via the following links:
ASSET Survey Report.pdf
ASSET Presentation
‘Bullying and Harassment at work’
Tuesday June 14th 2005, Institute of Food Research
Designated councilors from UEA, JIC and IFR discussed measures in place at each institute to deal with the sensitive issues of bullying and harassment at work.
New Year Celebration
Tuesday January 11th 2005, JIC Conference Centre
A New Year Celebration (networking and nibbles) was held to commemorate the retirement of Julia Marcantonio, the ResNet co-ordinator since 2002. Julia had worked with endless enthusiasm and determination to promote the network and its’ aims throughout the NRP and the wider UK SET arena.
Events Archive
2004
Women in SET: Delivering the Government’s Strategy
Thursday November 25th 2004, ZICER Exhibition & Seminar Room, UEA
The new UK Resource Centre for Women in SET is the cornerstone of the Government's strategy for increasing the number of women in SET, in response to the Greenfield Report 'SET Fair'.
Pat Turrell, Strategic Information Manager and Erica Williams, Information and Knowledge Coordinator will be here to tell us about progress in setting up the Resource Centre, what it can provide for women research scientists and how you can contribute and add to the information resource. Pat and Erica will be happy to stay on for further discussions.
Talk by Professor Carol Robinson
Wednesday September 29th 2004, IFR Lecture Theatre
Newly elected Fellow of the Royal Society and 2004 Rosalind Franklin Award Winner Professor Carol Robinson spoke about her career, her research, and her interest in careers for women in SET.
Carol Robinson is Professor of Chemical Biology at Cambridge and is a world leader in mass spectrometry, which she uses to study protein interactions. She has had an interesting career path, having left school at 16 to become a lab technician. She has also raised three children, now teenagers.
She was described by Prof. Julia Higgins (vice chair, RF Award Committee) as "an outstanding winner and excellent role model for younger women scientists". Prof. Robinson will use part of her RF prize money to fund a mentoring project to support women in SET.
More information about Prof. Robinson can be found at www.royalsoc.ac.uk and at http://education.guardian.co.uk.
Teacher / Scientist Network
June 22nd 2004
Phil Smith, TSN Coordinator and Liz Drake, high school teacher, told us about the formation of partnerships between local teachers and scientists. The partnerships provide invaluable support to local teachers in all phases of education. They provide scientists with the opportunity to interest children in science from an early age and influence their perception of the scientist (usually envisaged as male, with wild white hair and a lab coat), and the chance to develop their science communication skills.
National Science Week
March 16th -19th 2004
As part of National Science Week and to celebrate the extension of ResNet to ALL women NRP Researchers two meetings were held.
16th March, “The Rise and Rise of ResNet” An overview of four years of activity, introduced by Dr Alessandra Devoto (BIO) & “ResNet Now: the Current Position” A look at the situation of women researchers now, in the EU and the NRP.
19th March, “Liquid Lunch!” An informal chance to meet and talk to ResNet members and other researchers & What is “Having it All”? A debate with some of our successful women researchers about careers, relationships and self fulfillment, chaired by Dr Sarah Cornell (ENV).
Science Teaching Opportunities for Researchers, through UEA Continued Education.
March 2nd 2004
Katie Miller, Academic Director Science: Cont Ed. explained this good entry method into undergraduate teaching, which gives experience in the design of short units and the opportunity to deliver the lectures to small groups of students.
Alternative Careers Paths: Clinical Science in the National Health Service.
January 14th 2004
Dr Christine Dawson is Principle Clinical Scientist and Quality Assurance Officer at the Norwich & Norfolk University Hospital and a lecturer at UEA. Prior to moving to the NHS, she spent more than 10 years as a Post Doc at UEA on contracts. She described for us her decision making for the career change and about working in the NHS.
Events Archive
2003
Saskia Kent - WEETU.
November 25th 2003
Saskia Kent, Outreach Manager for The Women’s Employment, Enterprise and Training Unit, WEETU, told us about the training opportunities afforded by this unique Norfolk-based organization, which helps women to succeed in work and enterprise.
Career Development: What next?
December 9th 2003
The UEA Careers Centre provides Information, Advice and Guidance for all postgraduates and staff working in the Norwich research Park. Anne Benson became director of the Centre in June 2003 described the opportunities for career development and advice provided by the Centre. These include an extensive programme of workshops and information sessions throughout the year, special events for specific Schools and other groups and Career Development workshops on behalf of CSED for contract research staff and postgraduates.
Childcare: a major concern?
October 23rd 2003
The availability of childcare has always been a major concern for ResNet members. UEA Nursery Manager, Heather Munn told us about the aims of the Nursery in relation to child development, and the planned development and enlargement of the nursery facilities.
End-of-Year Get Together.
September 9th 2003
Mainly networking, brainstorming ideas, a little wine and a short fun film "Did I say Hairdressing, I meant Astrophysics".
Funding Opportunities Under Framework 6
May 16th 2003
The EU Project Manager of JIC's Research Contract Office made sense of the complexities of EU Framework 6 Funding, focussing on mobility and fellowship schemes.
Setting Up Your Own Business
March 8th 2003
Three award winners of UEA's Bisiness Innovation Centre, and one local intrepreneur and former UEA student, describe their experinces in setting up businesses.
Accept or Reject? Publishing Papers, the Inside Story
February 11th 2003
Insight into getting the best from the publication process, from two Editors of leading Plant Journals.
Irene Hames PowerPoint Presentation
359kb
Events Archive
2002
Feedback Session
December 11th 2002
Reports from three members who had represented ResNet at conferences.
"12th International Conference of Women in Engineering and Science" , Ottawa, Canada.
"Visibility of Women", Royal Society, London.
"Career Choices and Promotion", Athena, London.
Parents@Work - The Business Case for Work-Life Balances and Culture Change
November 29th 2002
A look at how to focus on issues to bring about changes in the culture and convince management that work-life balance is good for them.
Balance at Work
101kb
EU Law and Grant Applications
September 11th 2002
A look at recent changes in EU Law which effect CRS and the role of Research Administrators in preparing grant applications, etc.
Jennifer Kaheil, Personnel Manager, Science Schools, UEA.
Fixed Term Regulations
564kb
Dr Helen Brownlee, Research Administrator, BIO.
What a Research Administrator can do for you!
39kb
Women on Top
June 6th 2002
Dr Julia Goodfellow, Head of BBSRC talked to ResNet about her career.
Super Supervisors!
April 23rd 2002
A training session on how to approach supervision:
Paul Levy, Head of CSED
Dr Tracy Palmer, JIC
Dr Pascale Harvey, BIO
Supervising Students 86kb
Dr Preeti Dahiya, JIC
Jif-Nuffield Scholarship Scheme59kb
Alternative Careers seminars
February 15th 2002
Two talks on alternative careers for women in science:
Dr Tony Walker, Lecturer, Kingston University.
Life as a Lecturer in a new University
1,398kb
Dr Julie Greenfield, Research Liaison Officer, the Ataxia Charity, London.
Role of the Research Liaison Officer, Ataxia
75kb
Events Archive
2001
"Did I say Hairdressing? I meant astrophysics!"
December 13th 2001
Christmas get together and a 14 minute cartoon video introduced by Helen Green, ResNet Project Officer.
Opportunities we have had!
November 23rd 2001
This session provided an opportunity to hear from those who attended external events on behalf of ResNet. These have included:
- Managing Your Future Seminar, Cambridge.
- Networking the Networks, London.
- Career Development Conference or Wome Scientists, Oxford.
- Athena Project Conference on new research on Women in HE, London.
- Gender and Research Conference, Brussels.
- Athena Dissemination Conference, Edinburgh.
Clare Goodess, CRU
Athena presentation
16kb
Summary of Presentations by Jan Anderson, UEA Survey Office
69kb
Francesa Mercuri, BIO
Julia Marcantonio, BIO
Rachel Carol, JIC
Evdokia Pentcheva, BIO
Jennifer Kaheil, PRS
Promotion Procedures at UEA
June 26th 2001
Jennifer Kaheil, Personnel Manager, Science Group, UEA.
Managing Your Future: A seminar for Women Researchers and Academics in the Sciences
June 11th 2001
Robinson College, Cambridge (a Local Academic Women's Network event).
Managing Your Future Page - information and resources
What is a Research Career?
May 9th 2001
UEA Vice Chancellor Vincent Watts and Pro-Vice Chancellor, (Research) Graham Bentham.
End of Contract? What Next?
January 26th 2001
Repeat session.
Events Archive
2000
End of Contract? What Next?
December 8th 2000
Network members Charlotte Parker and Teresa Belton attended a Career Planning Workshop in London and shared what they learned with ResNet.
Fifth Framework Programme Applications: How Women Can Succeed
November 29th 2000
A seminar series sponsored by the DTI.
Making Change Happen
November 8th 2000
A "Focus a Europe " event with Dr Joan Mason and Professor Teresa Rees who both worked on the ETAN Report, 'Science Policies in the European Union: promoting excellence through mainstreaming equality'. Copies of the report may be obtained by e-mailing Nicole.DEWANDRE@cce.eu.int.
Managing Your Manager
October 13th 2000
A session with experienced trainer Stephanie Spink.
Applying for Funding under Framework V
September 7th 2000
Dr Zoe Delinde, UK Research Office, Brussels.
UKRO and the Fifth Framework Programme
365kb
Introduced by Expert Evaluator, Professor Ronan Sleep, SYS.
Advice and guidance
9kb
Presentation of Contract Research Staff Survey to Senior Management
July 3rd 2000
Jan Anderson, Survey Office, UEA.
CRS Survey Page
Life Maintenance: Employment and Pensions
May 22nd 2000
Jennifer Kaheil, Personnel Manager, UEA Science Group
Craig Moss, Financial Consultant.
Joint Career Development - is it possible?
April 14th 2000
Dr Isabelle Cote and Dr John Reynolds, BIO.
Life of a Female Education Correspondent
April 6th 2000
Lucy Hodges, Higher Education Correspondent for The Independent.
Focus on Positive Communication
March 21st 2000
Ruth Goodall, ResNet Project Director
Jane Ross, Chair ResNet Co-ordinating Committee
Launch of ResNet 2000 Network
February 3rd 2000
The Culture of Science: does science suffer from its gender imbalance? Phyllis Starkey MP.
Transferable Skills in Science and Technology, Daphne Thompson, DTI.
Events Archive
1999
Follow-up Meeting
December 8th 1999
A follow up meeting to discuss what direction the network should take.
Enquiry Meeting
October 13th 1999
An enquiry meeting to assess interest in setting up a network for women Contract Research Staff at the University of East Anglia and the Norwich Research Park.