In excess of 630,000 women work in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) occupations in the UK, including thousands of ground-breaking and innovative researchers, examining subjects as diverse and varied as the cognitive development of infants or developing code for the latest smartphone software. The University of Plymouth were therefore proud to present this one day symposium as part of British Science Week (13–22 March 2015), which brought together PhD students, post-doctoral and early career researchers as well as experienced academics to highlight world-class research by women in STEM.
Following a morning of distinguished keynote speakers, including Professor Suzanne Skevington (Professor of health psychology, University of Manchester), Professor Caroline Floccia (Professor in developmental psychology, University of Plymouth), Professor Deborah Greaves (Professor in ocean engineering and Director of the Coast Laboratory, University of Plymouth) and Dr Kerry Howell (Reader in marine ecology, University of Plymouth) and Dr Joanna Bryson (University of Bath), delegates had the chance to participate in structured discussion sessions around career progression, leadership and balancing priorities.