Dundee’s women of science celebrated in new display

Published On Fri 3 Mar 2017 by Cara Longmuir

An outdoor exhibition highlighting the pioneering contributions that women from Dundee have made to science will go on display at the University of Dundee this week.

‘HerStory of Science’ will open outside the University’s Discovery Centre on Friday, 3^rd March and runs until September. The display will tell the early history of women’s extraordinary contributions to science from a local perspective. It also illustrates the progress made by showing all the current female professors at the University.

Curator Dr Sarah Cook said, “The University was the first institution to appoint a women professor in Scotland. In 2017 we have women scientists who are excelling in areas such as immunology, microbiology, developmental biology, gene regulation and plant sciences. It is important that their achievements and the stories of the trailblazing women before them are visible and inspire the next generation of scientists

“Recent projects such as the Women’s Trail and the Discovery Walk, have sought to uncover the stories of women and this project adds to that social history, though we have more to find out and we are glad to say it was difficult to choose who to highlight.”

Professor Inke Nathke, an expert in colorectal cancer and Associate Dean for Professional Culture at Dundee, said, “This institution was created by Mary Ann Baxter to promote education for both sexes. The University of Dundee is committed to gender equality for all, although much remains to be done.

“We believe that by celebrating these extraordinary women and highlighting these role models we can help encourage women to enter and stay in scientific careers.”

Some of the women featured in the display include the co-founder of University College, Dundee, Mary Ann Baxter, Scotland’s first female professor, Margaret Fairlie and 19^th century Astronomer, Williamina Fleming.

‘HerStory of Science’ is also part of this year’s Women in Science Festival which takes place between 4th and 10th March. It is the World's only festival dedicated to celebrating women in science, technology, engineering and maths. 

The project has been supported by Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund, MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit, Athena SWAN at the School of Life Sciences, LifeSpace Science Art Research Gallery and the University of Dundee Archive Services.

For media enquiries contact:
Cara Longmuir
Media Relations Officer
University of Dundee
Nethergate, Dundee, DD1 4HN
Tel: +44 (0)1382 385243
Email: c.z.longmuir@dundee.ac.uk