Biochemical Society - Women in science

Women in science

The Society is committed to actively addressing the issues facing women in science. It is hoped that the resources available online will increase awareness of this issue and provide insight into the ways in which the situation can be improved. We have recently updated our Position Statement on Gender Equality in Science and launched a grant scheme to help address some of the issues. Details can be found here.

Gender Equality in Science Grant Scheme

The Biochemical Society has made three grants of £500 each available for projects which support and address issues relating to gender inequality in science. One of the Society’s priorities is actively addressing such issues, through increasing awareness of this subject and promoting systems through which the surrounding issues can be effectively addressed. The deadline for applications has now passed and applications are being assessed.

Gender Equality in Science Position Statement

The Society updated its Position Statement on Gender Equality in Science at the end of 2011. You can read the statement here.

All of the Society's Position Statements can be viewed in the Our Opinion section of this website.

Athena SWAN Charter

Launched in 1999, Athena works with its partners to develop and disseminate good practice in science, engineering and technology (SET) higher education and research, with the aim of the advancement of women. The Biochemical Society co-funds Athena, which makes awards to universities and departments based on their gender equality practises. The 2012 awards are announced here. Recent reports include Measuring Success 2011 and the 2010 Athena ASSET Survey Summary Report.

Reading and research

The wide body of issues surrounding women in science are of interest to many. This reading and research section contains pertinent articles, reports and discussions, as well as original research undertaken by the Society and others.

Online resources

There are a great many online resources available providing information and support to women in science.

Women in Biochemistry

Funded by the Biochemical Society, research by Dr Vicky Long, Professor Hilary Marland and Professor Robert B. Freedman from the Centre for the History of Medicine, University of Warwick has provided an insight into the work and lives of women biochemists in Britain from the inception of the Biochemical Journal in 1906 to the outbreak of the Second World War in 1939. The research gives an introduction to the history of women in biochemistry. An exhibition is now available for institutions to show.

Emily Thornberry MP endorses the Society's work on women in science

'I am pleased to endorse the Biochemical Society's work promoting the issue of the underrepresentation of women in science, in particular in high level positions. The issue raises important questions about equality within the scientific sector as well as concerns about the wider economic impact of the under-utilisation of these skills, both of which need to be addressed.'

Emily Thornberry MP (Islington South and Finsbury) 21 May 2009

Member profiles

There are an increasing number of women who are breaking through the glass ceiling and making themselves comfortable in the ivory towers - here we profile some of our members who are doing just that. Dr Anna Kelly, Dr Sue Jones, Dr Jeanette Webster Marketon and Dr Michelle Block have been profiled; click here if you would like to join them.