Space Park Leicester to celebrate International Women’s Day
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2023, Space Park Leicester will host a series of events showcasing women in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths) to inspire the next generation of students and professionals.
The events, open to all with an interest in female leadership in the Space and STEAM research industries, is being hosted by the University of Leicester, Space Park Leicester and the National Centre of Earth Observation (EO).
The programme begins on International Women’s Day, Wednesday March 8th, with a panel discussion featuring female leaders from the aerospace and higher education sectors from 11am to 12pm. Participants have the choice to attend in-person at Space Park Leicester, watch along at the main university campus, or join online. After the panel, there will be a networking lunch.
Facilitated by Professor Sarah Davies, Pro Vice-Chancellor and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University of Leicester, panellists include Beth Greenaway, Head of EO and Climate at the UK Space Agency, Abi Clayton Director for Future Programmes at Rolls-Royce, Joanne Wheeler, Managing Partner at Alden and Chair of the Satellite Finance Network, Angelina Bingley, Chief Marketing and Engagement Officer and Professor Ljiljana Marjanovic-Halburd, Head of the School of Engineering, both from the University of Leicester.
Leadership and team performance coach and consultant, Debbie Jones and Victoria Demery, organisational development specialist at the University of Leicester, will host a Leadership Skills Workshop for staff and partners. Alternatively, organisations and members of the public are invited to attend a special International Women’s Day Cosmic Coffee event between 2pm and 3pm.
Professor Sarah Davies said: “Through a series of inspirational events, we are delighted to showcase the women working in Space and in Science, Technology, Engineering, Art and Maths (STEAM) careers at the University of Leicester.
“We want to inspire women to follow their interests, advance their careers and find out more about how the University of Leicester’s undergraduate and postgraduate courses, and employment opportunities can help them achieve their ambitions. We look forward to welcoming all to enhance their skills and celebrate this year’s theme – #EmbraceEquity.”
On Thursday, 9 March business owners, start-ups, academics, researchers, students and graduates are invited to attend an Innovation Masterclass led by the Leicester Innovation Hub between 10am and 1pm. The session will provide insights of tools, a workbook and participants will learn how they can grow through innovation and the development of new products and services.
Rajinder Bhuhi, Leicester Innovation Hub Manager, who will host the Cosmic Coffee special said: ‘It’s a great privilege to be classed as an inspirational woman at Leicester. Celebrating role models at the University is central to our values.
“It is important to recognise work taking place across the university in making gender equity part of our DNA, where we can unlock and enable talent to flourish from diversity. The Leicester Innovation Hub’s Innovation Masterclass session (taking place at Space Park Leicester) is all about being practical to harness opportunities, generate connections and share knowledge, develop new insights and skills.”
Dr Emily Jane Watkinson, Research Associate and Lecturer at University of Leicester, said: “In line with the theme of International Women’s Day, here at the University of Leicester, we promote the fact that embracing equity is not just something we say, it’s something we think about, know and do.
“Embracing equity happens when we challenge gender stereotypes, call out discrimination, draw attention to bias and seek out inclusion.” Anyone interested in attending any of the events can book here:
Panel discussion (Space Park Leicester)
Panel discussion (University of Leicester watchalong and online)