Tuesday saw the College celebrate Women@Imperial Week with a panel discussion on challenges for gender equality, and a celebratory reception.

The panel discussion featured some of Imperial’s corporate partners alongside Imperial’s Provost, chaired by alumnus Anjana Ahuja, a journalist and science commentator for the Financial Times. Taking questions from the floor as well as the online audience, the panel shared their experiences and offered advice to individuals and organisations wishing to do more to support women.

Recruiting and retaining 

Rachel Higham (Managing Director for CIO Group at BT) spoke about a new development programme for women in middle management that BT had recently introduced, in an attempt to retain female staff at that level. Nupur Mallick (Director of HR at Tata Consultancy Services) shared a scheme at Tata where high potential women are connected to male senior leaders. James Stirling talked about Imperial’s ‘know your pool’ initiative, which includes being proactive in encouraging women to apply for particular positions.

The panel discussion

Stereotypes and science

The panel discussed how stereotypes around women and science start from a very early age. Anjana mentioned visiting Hamley’s Toy Shop and discovering colour-coded floors for boys and girls toys. James spoke about the new Science Toy Award, started by an academic from Imperial, which recognises toys that are gender-neutral and promote curiosity and encourage exploration in STEM.

Driving change

Chair Anjana asked each panellist to make a concrete pledge for the future, so that the event will have a legacy across each organisation. Rachel said that BT doesn’t do enough to celebrate its own ‘hidden figures’, in reference to the recent film, and pledged to work with the BT archives team to create visible role models from history and the present day. James Stirling pledged to make gender equality a standing item on the Imperial Business Partners agenda, saying that the organisations have a lot to learn from each other.

An illustrator captured the main points from the discussion

Celebrating achievements

After the panel discussion, staff and students gathered in the College Main Entrance for a celebratory reception. Attendees had the chance to take in the exhibition of photographs and archive material (on display all week) which highlights the achievements of women at the College, as well as the support that is in place.

The reception also provided the opportunity to launch a new book from the College’s archivist, Anne Barrett, a celebration of women past, present and future at Imperial. The book demonstrates the vital role women have played at the College since its inception, with archival material and interviews bringing individual case studies to life.

Anne Barrett introduces her book, alongside Imperial's Provost's Envoy for Gender Equality, Professor Dot Griffiths

Addressing the reception, Imperial’s Provost, Professor James Stirling, said: “Looking back, it’s been a good year. Over the last 12 months we have renewed our institutional Athena SWAN Silver Award, embedded the ‘Know Your Pool’ search committee initiative to increase the number of female applicants for jobs, and shared our family friendly policies and support more widely. Indeed we were recognised last year as one of the Top 30 Employers for Working Families, one of only four universities to be so recognised and the only Russell Group University.

“So, much to celebrate indeed, but still so much to do.”

The Imperielles performing

The attendees also heard from a student representative, as well as enjoying musical entertainment from Imperial’s female a cappella group the Imperielles.

Rachel Blythe

Rachel Blythe, Deputy President of Finance and Services at Imperial College Union, said: “Women@Imperial Week provides us with an enormous opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge our phenomenal female staff and students. From women leading in their fields of academia, to excelling in sports, representing in media and the arts, coordinating social enterprises, there really is no limit to what women at Imperial can achieve."