Women at Imperial is an annual event that takes place around International Women’s Day (8 March). Over the course of a week we celebrate female staff and students at Imperial, past and present, and raise awareness of the support available in College for women.

If you are planning an activity for Women at Imperial Week, or an EDI event at any time of the year, please get in touch with the EDI Centre.

Alyssa Gilmore

Dr Alyssa Gilmore, Research Associate, Department of Immunology and Inflammation "Everyone is comprised of many elements. I’m a scientist, a feminist, an activist and an educator. I feel empowered to promote equality in all aspects of my life"

Angela Kedgley

Dr Angela Kedgley, Lecturer, Department of Bioengineering "Be tenacious when all doesn’t go according to plan. Determine what you want, listen to yourself, and then be brave and make it happen.”

Anique Varleigh

Anique Varleigh, Head of Examinations & Assessment, Business School "‘Be the best version of you’. It may be an overused quote but whether you are student or staff you must always be your authentic self no matter the situation, no matter the start you had in life."

Caroline Howe

Dr Caroline Howe, Lecturer, Centre for Environmental Policy "As women, we owe it to ourselves, to those who came before and those who will come after, to pick each other up when we fall and give us that little nudge of encouragement to keep going. It is worth it!"

Caz Ulley

Caz Ulley, Head of Student Recruitment and Marketing, and Co-Chair of Imperial "Taking on my Imperial 600 role has helped me to recognise what I have to offer. And seeing that what I am doing is affecting positive change within the College has boosted my confidence."

Claire Dunican, Claire Broderick, Clare Andradi-Brown, and Clare Wilson

Claire Dunican, Claire Broderick, Clare Andradi-Brown, and Clare Wilson. PhD students and clinical research fellows, Department of Infectious Disease "Be more like General Princess Leia Organa Solo: lead by example and with confidence, form supportive relationships with the people around you."

Courtnae Bailey

Courtnae Bailey, PhD student, Centre for Environmental Policy "Do not add extra pressure by looking at others as your competition and comparing yourself, but rather focus on being the best version of yourself. My parents have always told me no matter what you do, do it to the best of your ability."

Dania Ahmed

Dania Ahmed, PhD student, Department of Mechanical Engineering "Believe in your unlimited potential, be passionate about your work and achieve your best. I always believe that women born as leaders; they need to recognize their inner power and support each other."

Fay Dowker

Professor Fay Dowker, Department of Physics "When I am discouraged, I use my feeling of responsibility to my foremothers who were denied their chances to be mathematicians and physicists and to the younger generation of women coming after me, to inspire me to keep going.”

Maria Ribera Vincent

Dr Maria Ribera Vicent, Strategic Teaching Fellow, Department of Aeronautics "The best advice I can give women starting out is to not be afraid to follow their dreams and ambitions. I am inspired every time I see a woman heading a team at NASA or ESA, or being recognised as the world expert."

Nina Dutta

Dr Nina Dutta, GP and UG course Lead, School of Public Health "My advice to future students is to always remember your core values and use them to guide decisions you make. Surround yourself with inspiring people who share these values; great things can be achieved when people come together."

Vicky Salem

Dr Vicky Salem, Senior Clinical Research Fellow, Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction "Women shouldn't fear being openly ambitious. It doesn't always go down well but that, and learning to control the devil of imposter syndrome, will carry you."

Videos of events from previous years

Leaders discuss 'Choose to Challenge'

To mark International Women’s Day and the start of Women at Imperial Week 2021, the EDI Centre hosted an online panel event with senior leaders in the College to discuss the #IWD theme “Choose to Challenge” which aims to celebrate women’s achievements; raise awareness of gender bias, and encourage action for equality

Leaders from Imperial discuss gender equality and actions

Leaders discuss 'Choose to Challenge'

Panel members discuss actions they are currently taking and the challenges ahead

To mark International Women’s Day and the start of Women at Imperial Week 2021, the EDI Centre hosted an online panel event with senior leaders in the College to discuss the #IWD theme “Choose to Challenge” which aims to celebrate women’s achievements; raise awareness of gender bias, and encourage action for equality

Imperial staff and students on what change making means

What do Imperial women #ChooseToChallenge​?

What change making means, when they have challenged biases and who has inspired them

For Women at Imperial Week 2021 we asked staff and students what change making means to them, when they have challenged biases and who has inspired them.

Nadia Soliman reflects on leadership

What academia could learn from the military

Nadia Soliman compares her experiences in the British Army and as a young academic

For the Department of Life Sciences 2019 International Women's Day Lecture, Nadia Soliman compares her experiences in the British Army and her time as a young academic and reflects on leadership.

Nadia discusses the myth that women don’t have success in the military and the myth that military training has little relation to academia.

Panel discussion on difficulties women face in the workplace

Struggles, Strategies and Secrets of Success

Panel discussion exploring the difficulties faced by women in the workplace

This panel discussion for Women@Imperial Week 2016 explores the difficulties still faced by women in the workplace and the challenges employers face in overcoming these difficulties.

Chaired by Anjana Ahuja (freelance science journalist), the panel comprised: Rachel Higham (MD CIO from BT group), Alison Atkinson (Director Capital Projects from AWE), Nupur Singh Mallick (HR Director from TCS UK), and James Stirling (Provost, Imperial College London). 

Reflections on gender equality at Imperial and in HE

The state of, and prospects for, gender equality in academia

Simone and Mark discuss progress made and the challenges ahead

For Women@Imperial Week 2020, Professor Simone Buitendijk, Vice-Provost (Education), and Professor Mark Burgman, Director of the Centre for Environmental Policy, reflect on the state of gender equality here at Imperial and elsewhere in higher education. Drawing on evidence and personal experience, they will reflect on progress made and the challenges ahead.

Londa Schiebinge talks about integrating gender in research

Gendered Innovations in STEM

Professor Londa Schiebinge talks about the importance of integrating gender analysis in research

For Women@Imperial Week 2018 Professor Londa Schiebinge, University of Stanford, discusses the importance of integrating gender analysis to achieve excellence in science and technology research. 

More information Professor Schiebinge and her work can be found on the Gendered Innovations website.

2017 International Women's Day Lecture

One Size Does Not Fit All

Leyla Okhai discuses how organisations and individuals can take steps for positive change

For the 2017 Department of Life Sciences International Women's Day Lecture, Leyla Okhai, Head of the College's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Centre, discusses how one size does not fit all, and how we can all take responsibility for positive change.