Imperial's female staff and students celebrated on International Women's Day

The achievements of Imperial's women were showcased at an exhibition and reception last week.

The public exhibition of photographs and archive material highlighted contributions from female researchers, pioneering women from Imperial’s history, and female entrepreneurs at the College.

Archive material on display as part of the exhibition

As part of the exhibition’s launch, staff, students, and invited guests gathered in the College Main Entrance for a reception to celebrate the achievements of Imperial’s female staff and students, past and present.

The reception included musical performances from a cappella group the Imperielles (pictured above) while research stands highlighted the work of female staff and students, including participants in the Althea-Imperial Programme.

One of the research stands featured

Imperial’s President Professor Alice Gast (pictured below) addressed the reception, saying: "Every day we have reasons to celebrate women at Imperial." She added: " We are committed to improving gender equality at Imperial, and I look forward to making progress over the coming days and months."

Professor Gast also discussed the challenges and opportunities facing women in leadership today, a subject she focused on in an International Women’s Day blog for the World Economic Forum.

During the reception Professor Dot Griffiths, Provost’s Envoy for Gender Equality (pictured below), talked about the progress that she has seen over her time at the College, adding: “Tonight is a fabulous occasion – it makes me so proud to be at Imperial and work with all you wonderful women. It’s just such a privilege.”

Lucinda Sandon-Allum, President of Imperial College Union (pictured below), discussed the importance for female students of having female role models at the College to look up to, and the focus she had placed in her role on the issue of gender equality.

Reaching out

Imperial's Facebook page shared stories from women at the College throughout Women@Imperial Week. 

Celebrating Women in STEM at Imperial was the final event of the week, taking place on Friday. This outreach event aimed at girls sought to celebrate the women who work in different areas across the College and to help them understand more about careers in STEM and STEM-related areas.