Women in Science Festival

Published On Mon 3 Mar 2014 by Roddy Isles

The achievements of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths will be celebrated at the Women In Science Festival 2014 this month.

Women In Science 2014 will also highlight the many opportunities there are for women to pursue a career in science and related subjects. It is the only festival in the World to focus on celebrating women in science and this year will present a range of film screenings, exhibitions, talks and family fun days.

The Dundee part of the festival is running until March 24th and incorporates the National Science and Engineering Week, as well as running alongside Dundee Women's Festival.

Studies have shown that less women with a STEM-related degree actually go on to work in the sector than their male counterparts. Dundee's Women In Science Festival is aimed at encouraging more young women to get involved with science and then stay with it as a rewarding career choice.

The festival is supported by many of the internationally acclaimed female scientists and researchers working at institutions in Dundee.

Professor Sue Black is the Patron of the Festival and Deputy Principal for Public Engagement at the University of Dundee. She is a world authority on forensic anthropology and human identification.

'I was honoured to be invited to be the first patron of this festival and consider it a privilege to celebrate publically the truly exceptional women we have in science,' said Professor Black.

'The Festival is now in its sixth year and 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 stimulate and leave us all with something important to think about.'

Dr Helen-Louise Murphy is Chair of the festival organising committee. She said, '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.'

The festival is a collaboration between the Universities of Dundee and Abertay, the James Hutton Institute, Hannah Maclure Centre and Dundee Science Centre.

The festival programme includes a public lecture by esteemed speaker Professor Anne Glover, the first Chief Scientific Advisor in both Scotland and to the European Commission, a night of stand-up comedy, a big science knit and a wide range of other public events aimed at all ages.

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head, Press Office
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk
MOBILE: 07800 581902