Inspirational and influential scientist to mark International Women’s Day

Professor Anne Glover, Chief Scientific Adviser to the European Commission and one of the most influential women in science, will visit the University of Dundee this weekend to discuss her career and the challenges she has faced.

Professor Glover will appear at the Dalhousie Building on Saturday, 8th March. The event takes place on International Women’s Day and has been organised by the University and the James Hutton Institute as part of Dundee’s 2014 Women in Science Festival.

Born in Arbroath and a former pupil of the High School of Dundee, Professor Glover is Professor of Molecular and Cell Biology at the University of Aberdeen. Her distinguished research career has seen her explore at a molecular level how diseases like Alzheimer's and Parkinson's physically affect our bodies.

Professor Glover was recognised in 2008 as a Woman of Outstanding Achievement by the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology and was named the 19th most powerful woman in the UK by BBC Radio 4’s Woman's Hour in 2013. She was awarded a CBE in 2009, and has also received accolades from the Royal Society of Edinburgh, Institute of Biology, Royal Society of Arts, and American Society for Microbiology.

Dr Jon Urch, Public Engagement Co-Ordinator at the University, said, “We are privileged to welcome Professor Anne Glover to the Women in Science Festival  to talk about her career path, the challenges she has overcome, and what has influenced her decisions.

“As a brilliant and influential scientist, she is an inspiration for women working in science, technology, engineering and maths and has rightly been lauded by her peers. She will also discuss the importance of giving both genders equal opportunities to achieve their scientific potential and how everyone will benefit from this.”

Dr Vivian Blok, Women in STEM representative at the James Hutton Institute, added: “I’m delighted that one of the most influential scientists in Europe will share her knowledge and experiences in Dundee. Professor Glover’s talk is sure to inspire more young women to pursue a career in science.”

The 2014 Women in Science Festival has a rich history of events designed to appeal to people of all ages from all backgrounds and interests. There are events that showcase the cutting-edge of research by ground-breaking Scottish scientists and these run alongside fun, drop-in sessions for families and evening talks designed to be stimulating for all.

The festival aims to engage with  as many people as possible and so its diversity expands year on year and now includes  craft and even stand-up comedy events. 

An Evening with Professor Anne Glover takes place at the Dalhousie Building at 6pm on Saturday, 8th March.

Free tickets are available from http://www.dundee.ac.uk/tickets, revealingresearch@dundee.ac.uk or telephone 01382 386660. Tickets are also available from the Tower Building and Dalhousie Building reception desks.

Notes to editors:

The James Hutton Institute is a world-leading scientific organisation encompassing a distinctive range of integrated strengths in land, crop, waters, environmental and socio-economic science. It undertakes research for customers including the Scottish and UK Governments, the EU and other organisations worldwide. The institute has a staff of nearly 600 and 120 PhD students.

The Institute takes its name from the 18th century Scottish Enlightenment scientist, James Hutton, who is widely regarded as the founder of modern geology and who was also an experimental farmer and agronomist. More information at www.hutton.ac.uk

 

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