Facilitating Women's Progression to The Top

In this talk Professor Donald will focus on how environment and senior leadership impact on the progression of women through the ranks. Investigating the culture in which women find themselves, and reflecting on the language used to describe them, formally and informally, when opportunities arise are both crucial elements in enabling women to fulfil their potential. There has to be a move away from ‘fix the women’ to ‘fix the system’, even though offering support to women is also an important element. Inclusive cultures will facilitate progression for everyone and not just those who look like existing leaders.

Professor Dame Athene Margaret Donald DBE FRS is a Professor of Experimental Physics at the University of Cambridge and Master of Churchill College, Cambridge. She chaired the Royal Society’s Education Committee from 2010-14, is a member of the European Research Council and now chairs the Scientific Advisory Council of the Department of Culture, Media and Sports. She actively writes, talks and blogs about issues associated with women in science.