Celebrating women in science

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Published

10 February 2023

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On 11 February, we celebrate the United Nations' International Day of Women and Girls in Science and the University’s female student and staff scientists.

The day recognises the critical role women and girls have in science and technology, but also puts a spotlight on the progress still to be made.

Globally, only 33 per cent of researchers are women, and they are awarded less research funding than men, and are less likely to be promoted according to figures from the UN. In the private sector too, women are less present in company leadership and in technical roles in tech industries. Women account for just 22 per cent of professionals working in artificial intelligence and 28 per cent of engineering graduates.

The UN International Day of Women and Girls in Science was established in 2015and, much like the University of East London, UN organisers have seized the impetus offered by the fourth industrial revolution.

At the University, around 60 per cent of students on the Pharmacology course are women. In this video, third year pharmacology students Malyoon Hassan, Helena El Khalil, Wendy Gomez and Florence Mehtar discuss their experiences as women in science and their hopes for the future.

Asked what she would say to women thinking of a career in pharmacology or science, technology, engineering and maths, Florence said,

“It definitely is a male dominated industry, but it takes loads of females coming into that industry and making a change and up and showing that we can do the same things as the men in power. So they just have to do it and come and join us.”

Helena El Khalil said, “The range of options available once I have finished the degree is incredible. I can go and work in drug development, work in different pharmaceutical industries, with the government on drug safety, or I can be involved in clinical trials. I didn’t know there were so many options.”

The course includes placements and Wendy went to Chennai last summer to gain work experience. As part of the placement, Wendy presented at a scientific conference, which she said was “the best experience of my life”.

Florence hopes to do a PhD once she graduates focusing on senescence and ageing, and Wendy also wants to study for a PhD. Malyoon wants to work in the NHS, and Helena would like to do a Masters in public health science.

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