Celebrating women's roles in the University and beyond

For International Women's Day 2021, we reflect on the stories, achievements and roles of women

Plymouth's extraordinary story-makers

Discover their stories

Simran Kooner

Computing student and founder of Women In Computing and STEM Support System. Student ambassador, course representative and PALS leader.

Passionately encouraging and supporting women in STEM – Meet Simran

Simran Kooner. 7 questions
Simran Kooner

“My hope is see a world where girls working in STEM are not simply the minority, but an integral part of industries making a positive difference.”

Dr Sarah Boulton and Dr Jodie Fisher

Dr Sarah Boulton is a Associate Professor in Active Neotectonics. Dr Jodie Fisher is a Senior Technician in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Science. Sarah and Jodie are two of the founders of Girls into Geoscience, an award-winning STEM outreach initiative.

Breaking down the gender barriers – Meet Sarah and Jodie

Dr Jodie Fisher

“Geologists face a particular social stereotype of the lone man, probably with a beard, smoking a pipe, wearing tweed and climbing a mountain with a rock hammer.”

Estilla Hefter

Robotics student, designing intelligent robot platforms to overcome social challenges. From her native Hungary and beyond – passionately encouraging girls into STEM. Ambassador for the Association of Hungarian Women in Science. 

Enhancing lives with social technology – Meet Estilla

Estilla Hefter, Plymouth Pioneers
Estilla Hefter, Plymouth Pioneers

“I want every girl to be encouraged to follow their dreams. I had to challenge this perception, but this perception should never exist in the first place.”

Dr Imogen Napper

Marine scientist, researching plastic pollution with Professor Richard Thompson in the University's International Marine Litter Research Unit.

Influencing a sea-change against plastic pollution – Meet Imogen

Imogen Napper on eXXpedition North Pacific 2018

“It shocked me, it angered me, but also gave me a lot of curiosity – where are all those tiny bits of plastic coming from?”

Tina Joshi

Lecturer in Molecular Microbiology in the School of Biomedical Sciences, Microbiology Society policy committee member, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Athena Swan Self Assessment Team member, Venus Awards finalist for inspirational woman in STEM 2019.

Finding ways to combat the growing problem of worldwide antibiotic resistance – Meet Tina

Dr Tina Joshi
Antibiotics in blister packs - image courtesy of Getty Images

“Modern medicine is underpinned by antibiotic use, and it’s a huge issue that bacteria are becoming resistant.”

 

International Women's Day event – Monday 9 March 

The University of Plymouth Women's Network is proud to present Generation Equality; an evening of feminist lectures to celebrate International Women's Day. We are thrilled to have Professor Roberta Mock (Director of the Doctoral College), Dr Hadelzein Elobeid and Dr Emma Macleod-Johnstone (Lecturer in Education Studies) talking on a variety of feminist issues.  

This event is open to staff, students and the general public and is free to attend, although registration is essential. Complimentary refreshments and nibbles will also be served prior to and following the talks.

Register for this exciting event

Overlapping hands touching 
Woman working, World War 1 - image courtesy of Getty Images

Celebrating the strength of ‘ordinary’ women on International Women’s Day

"I want to remember and acknowledge the strength and achievements of women, particularly those in the South West (including Plymouth) during the Great War... appreciating the impact that a community of women who came together to work for their country had."