Celebrating International Women's Day

Arusa, Aston University: Being a woman in IT doesn’t hold me back and each day in Support is different, you can be working on fixing computer hardware faults, supporting end user’s through remote sessions or working on projects. I don’t feel that there are any biases towards you for being a woman and as a Support Engineer the role is positively challenging and rewarding.

Caitlin, Manchester Met University: At Manchester School, all of the technicians sustain an incredibly supportive and creative environment for both students and fellow staff members. We like to have fun and we are constantly sharing ideas and opportunities with one another.

Cassandra, University of Manchester: I have been a Technical Operations Manager for 7.5 years, with background of 13 years as a Research Technician in biological sciences. I am passionate about supporting technicians to achieve and deliver excellence in research and teaching within higher education.

Clare, University of Nottingham: I am a Physical Geography Technician and Chair of the UoN Technician Network. I’m fortunate to be in a team comprising 4 woman and 1 man, in a university where we have the support of Kelly Vere and the opportunity to take part in the Herschel Programme. As such, I feel privileged to not have my gender impact my work in my field. I fully endorse technicians of all genders being given equal opportunities for support and progression.

Georgina, University of Sheffield: I am currently a Specialist Technician in the Medical Teaching Unit at the University of Sheffield. As part of my role, I process people who have chosen to donate their bodies for medical education upon their death. I also ensure classes run smoothly and look after our historical potted pathology collection, amongst many other things. I love being a technician because I've developed so many skills and every day is a little bit different. Luckily I've never felt any barriers because I’m a woman. There are actually lots of women in the anatomy field, so I’ve had plenty of incredible women to look up to and seek guidance from. Hopefully I'll become that women for the next generation of female technicians in anatomy.

George bookbinding at Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University

Gosia and Reina, Aston University: Our team is working very hard to support women in innovation, technology and science. We are thrilled that the Advanced Prototyping Facility project was shortlisted for the Midlands Women in Tech Awards 2022.

Gulcan, University of Nottingham: I am a chemical engineer with an MSc in Energy and Environmental Engineering. I have been part of the Faculty of Engineering for the last 10 years - first as a PhD researcher in the hydrogen field, followed by my current role as a technical officer in the Energy Innovation and Collaboration team, delivering the Energy for Business scheme. My experience as a woman in engineering has been very positive and empowering. I feel everyone is equally appreciated and encouraged for personal and professional development. In 2019, I was nominated and included in the University's portrait diversification project, which publicly acknowledged and celebrated the international colleagues whose work ensures the University of Nottingham experience is truly exceptional for staff and students. My portrait has been exhibited along with other international staff in the Trent Building since June 2019. I would like to continue contributing to achieving a fully inclusive culture at the university and beyond.

Han, University College London: It’s challenging and fulfilling to manage Small-Angle X-ray Scattering Facility at UCL/ChemEng/CNIE for multidisciplinary researchers across the country.

Hannah, laboratory technician at the University of Nottingham

Heather, University of Sheffield: One of the great things about working in science research is the possibilities for translating the research into accessible and informative methodology that can make a difference. Here I am at an external Cereals Event talking to farmers, agronomists and arable focussed businesses about how mass spectrometry can help them, for instance, in identifying biomarkers for the early detection of disease in cereal crops.

Jo (left), Anatomy Teaching Technician & Leia (right), Anatomy Teaching Prosector, University of Nottingham

Jo (left), Anatomy Teaching Technician & Leia (right), Anatomy Teaching Prosector, University of Nottingham, were both awarded Lord Dearing Awards in 2020

Laura, University of Sheffield: Here I am sorting Drosophila Melanogaster using a fluorescent microscope to see if they have GFP protein. As a woman working in biology, I'm proud to contribute to the advancement of science and inspire the next generation of female scientists, bringing about gender equality in STEM.

Lisa leads a printmaking workshop at the Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University

Lisa leads a letterpress workshop at the Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University

Lisa, University of Manchester: My role as a Research Technician is exciting and fun, but can be challenging when you are juggling family life and defining a career path.

Paulina, University of Manchester: I have worked in the architectural/prop making and woodworking industry for 8 years and believe it is still very common for women to be discouraged or afraid of taking on careers in these industries, particularly woodworking/carpentry. Women aren’t commonly seen in the workshop, some may feel intimidated as it’s still a male dominated field. As part of the B15 Modelmaking Workshop team, I feel fortunate to be able to work closely alongside students, allowing them to see the representation of women within a workshop environment.

Reina, Aston University: Working as an Additive Manufacturing Technician/Engineer gives me the opportunity to work in a stimulating, rewarding and fun environment. It enables me to address a product end to end - from the concept to the stage of the actualization. In general, 3D Printing Industry is more diverse than some engineering disciplines and it is very welcoming for female engineers.

Samantha, University of Nottingham: This is me performing a demonstration lecture in Hong Kong as part of the British Council's SPARK Festival in 2019. My job title is Technical Specialist Outreach and I have responsibilities both in the undergraduate teaching labs and public engagement and school outreach for the School of Chemistry.

Sinling Tiffany, Aston University: Being an engineer means being at the forefront of technological advancements. Always learning and solving challenges. It’s amazing to see the work I do being applied to real life situations.

Soheyla, University of Manchester

Vicki and George testing VR headsets at the Manchester School of Art, Manchester Metropolitan University

Yvette, University of Sheffield: Here is a photograph of me preparing samples for the Archaeology Department’s PGT applied biological sciences module. The module has a series of practical sessions, that runs alongside lectures, teaching the students how to do the sample preparation for the analysis the lectures teach them about. This sample includes thin sections of human and animal bones and teeth for histological analysis.