{"id":28717,"date":"2023-03-15T11:18:53","date_gmt":"2023-03-15T11:18:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/?p=25413"},"modified":"2024-11-03T15:12:50","modified_gmt":"2024-11-03T15:12:50","slug":"women-in-science-celebrating-with-our-women-of-influence-initiative","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/women-in-science-celebrating-with-our-women-of-influence-initiative\/","title":{"rendered":"Women in Science: Celebrating with our Women of Influence initiative"},"content":{"rendered":"
From left: Dr Catherine Elliott (Director of research and partnership at Cancer Research UK), Michelle Mitchell (Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK) and Tracy de Groose (Trustee of Cancer Research UK)<\/p>

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From left: Dr Catherine Elliott (Director of research and partnership at Cancer Research UK), Michelle Mitchell (Chief Executive of Cancer Research UK) and Tracy de Groose (Trustee of Cancer Research UK)<\/p><\/div>

March 8<\/span>th<\/span> marked International Women\u2019s Day, and to celebrate we hosted our annual Women of Influence Fellow\u2019s Meeting at the Royal Society in<\/span> London<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>Women of Influence initiative<\/span><\/a> is a mentorship <\/span>scheme which pairs exceptional female scientists <\/span>funded by Cancer Research UK with leading businesswomen. It aims to provide early<\/span> to mid-<\/span>career researchers with support and guidance from outside<\/span> of<\/span> academia.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Women of Influence Fellows\u2019 Meeting 2023 at The Royal Society in London. <\/p>

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Women of Influence Fellows\u2019 Meeting at The Royal Society in London.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

The initiative started in 2014, and almost a decade later the scheme has<\/span> seen around 80 researchers benefitting from their mentor\u2019s experience. There are currently<\/span> 40 active mentor-mentee pairings<\/span>, which <\/span>includes 21 postdoctoral researchers, most <\/span>of <\/span>who<\/span>m<\/span> are at the beginning of their career.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

But why is mentoring important for <\/span>women in <\/span>research?<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

To understand that, we need to acknowledge where we are. At Cancer Research UK<\/span> core-funded<\/span> I<\/span>nstitutes, 57% of our PhD students are women. Unfortunately<\/span>,<\/span> this percentage drops to 29% for those that progress to group leaders, establishing their own independent research group.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Ultimately<\/span>,<\/span> we are not seeing enough <\/span>women <\/span>progress to more senior roles<\/span> in academia<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

While women<\/span> and men<\/span> make up<\/span> roughly equal proportions of a<\/span> research community at earlier stages, women may face more <\/a><\/span>barriers<\/span><\/a> when progressing to senior positions<\/a>. But the barriers women face in the research workplace are not unique to academia.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why we<\/span>\u2019ve<\/span> focussed on<\/span> developing<\/span> an initiative to capitalise on the insights <\/span>of<\/span> women <\/span>from <\/span>outside academia who\u2019ve faced similar challenges.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

We believe that facilitating an environment where challenges and learnings can be shared offers a way to empower more <\/span>women in research, and to help them <\/span>move into leadership roles.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

W<\/span>e <\/span>spoke to<\/span> some of the incredible mentees and mentors <\/span>on our Women of Influence programme who <\/span>shar<\/span>ed <\/span>their experience of the initiative.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Meet some of our women of influence<\/h2>\n

Our mentees<\/h2>\n

Dr Sean Lim <\/strong><\/p>\n

Dr <\/span>S<\/span>ean L<\/span><\/a>im<\/a> is an<\/span> associate professor and honorary consultant in haematological oncology at the University of Southampton. Her work focusses on understanding and developing new <\/span>cancer immunotherapies<\/span><\/a>. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

She leads her own laboratory research group while also being an NHS consultant. Her training prepared her to be a good doctor and scientist. But when it came to leadership and management skills, Lim had to teach herself.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Women of Influence initiative is a great opportunity to learn these skills from experienced and highly successful professionals,\u201d says<\/span> Lim<\/span>. \u201cI have learnt new problem-solving skills, and in every meeting my mentor has helped me to become a stronger leader.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Professor Sara Zanivan<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

Professor<\/span> Sara <\/span>Zanivan\u2019s research focusses on a type of cell, called cancer associated fibroblasts (CAFs), as a therapeutic target in ovarian and <\/span>triple negative breast cancer<\/span><\/a>. Her research aims to understand how CAFs influence cancer aggressiveness and resistance to therapy.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhen I went to the first meeting organi<\/span>s<\/span>ed by Cancer Research UK with all these very successful women, I walked away with <\/span>a lot of energy and motivation,\u201d says Zanivan. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>At the beginning I joined more for curiosity. I wanted to know what it was about, although I didn\u2019t know exactly what I wanted to get out of it.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zanvian joined the scheme when it first launched in 2014 and participated for 2 years. She explains that going in with no goals wasn\u2019t giving her the most of what she could gain in having a mentor. She returned to the initiative later in 2019, with a better understanding of what she wanted to achieve.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Now, after 3 years with her new mentor, Zanivan has been able to define her goals and develop a skill set to help her progress. Both she and her mentor live in Glasgow, where they regularly meet up face to face. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/span>I\u2019ve really understood the difference between a mentor, a sponsor and a coach, and how to approach people that can support you to achieve your goals.<\/span>\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Stephanie May<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

Dr Stephanie May and her mentor speaking at the Women of Influence Fellows\u2019 meeting.<\/p>

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Dr Stephanie May and her mentor, Catherine Baudino, speaking at the Women of Influence Fellows\u2019 Meeting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Dr <\/span>Stephanie <\/span>May is a postdoctoral researcher at The <\/span>Cancer Research UK <\/span>Beatson Institute for Cancer Research in Glasgow. Her research focu<\/span>s<\/span>ses on preventing a specific type of liver cancer,<\/span> hepatocellular carcinoma<\/span><\/a>. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Like many researchers that join the initiative, May signed up so she could improve as a leader. As she progresses in her research career and her team begins to grow, she wants to have the skills to empower her colleagues<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

The connection she has with her mentor has created a safe space for her to express her goals and challenges. She explains that while it would be nice to have a woman in research<\/span> as a mentor, there aren\u2019t enough in senior roles for all <\/span>early career<\/span> researchers to have that opportunity.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cHopefully there will be more female leaders<\/span> that could be mentors from a scientific point of view. But what I find really helpful is my mentor\u2019s completely unbiased and non-judgmental perspective on things within my job,\u201d says May.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cShe doesn\u2019t know the nitty gritty of my research, so the feedback and perspectives on certain situations that I receive are very different to what a scientist would give me. I\u2019ve definitely gained more confidence in myself through the conversations that I\u2019ve had with someone completely outside of the scientific academic world.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Our mentors<\/span><\/span><\/h2>\n

Alice Choi<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

Alice Choi<\/p>

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Alice Choi<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Alice<\/span> Choi<\/span> has been a mentor for Women of Influence since 2017, joining with the belief in empowering women working in science.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAttrition in women in science is a big issue. Having structured mentoring and knowing that it\u2019s there, hopefully will give them a safe space to share, build confidence and create that rapport,\u201d says Choi.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cIn an ideal world what we want to get to <\/span>is <\/span>a cohort of more confident <\/span>women in <\/span>scien<\/span>ce <\/span>progressing to that leadership level. And in turn paying it forward and help<\/span>ing<\/span> with succession planning.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Choi<\/span> is also a member of the <\/span>R<\/span>esearch <\/span>C<\/span>areers <\/span>C<\/span>ommittee for Cancer Research UK, which overs<\/span>ee<\/span>s a number of funding schemes to develop the careers of early to mid-career cancer researchers. She enjoys seeing how mentoring can make a positive difference, even if it is just thinking about a different side of a situation.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMentoring is not a one-way dialogue, it\u2019s v<\/span>ery reciprocal. I hope that what I\u2019m sharing is helpful, but I\u2019m also learning from it as well. Having this arrangement gives a different and fresh perspective. The more tools we can have in our kit to encourage greater dialogue, inclusivity and equity, the better.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Kate Banks<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

Kate Banks<\/p>

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Kate Banks<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Kate Banks oversees leadership, recruitment and development as Chief People Officer at<\/span> an insurance company,<\/span> DAS UK. While not<\/span> having been<\/span> mentored herself, <\/span>Bank<\/span>s\u2019 extensive career has built her skill set. Her reason for signing up as a mentor stemmed from her experience receiving breast cancer treatment last year.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cFor my type of breast cancer, the survival rates changed dramatically because of new drugs developed. I was very thankful for that and wanted to do whatever I could for Cancer Research UK. I saw the initiative and because of my career I thought this was a way I could help.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Banks has seen more women joining executive boards, but the numbers haven\u2019t changed enough. That\u2019s true across the economy, from the scientific world to financial services, as the Women of Influence scheme acknowledges. The more women you can bring together, the more that can be shared and tackled.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou need to build up that trust. People need to be able to have a safe space to vocalise their challenges, their inner thoughts or bounce ideas. And it goes both ways. The trust I share with my mentee means I can talk to her about more than my career, but about my cancer treatment too. She supports me and I support her.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Sarah Pinch<\/span><\/b> <\/span><\/p>\n

Sarah Pinch<\/p>

” data-medium-file=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Sarah-Pinch-2-300×270.jpg” data-large-file=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Sarah-Pinch-2.jpg” decoding=”async” loading=”lazy” class=” wp-image-25415″ src=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Sarah-Pinch-2.jpg” alt width=”216″ height=”194″ srcset=”https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Sarah-Pinch-2.jpg 947w, https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Sarah-Pinch-2-300×270.jpg 300w, https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Sarah-Pinch-2-768×691.jpg 768w, https:\/\/news.cancerresearchuk.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/Sarah-Pinch-2-150×135.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 216px) 100vw, 216px”><\/p>

Sarah Pinch<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

Sarah<\/span> Pinch<\/span> is managing director of Pinch Point Communications<\/span> and <\/span>has previously <\/span>been <\/span>mentored herself. Throughout her career she<\/span> has<\/span> actively mentored<\/span> others<\/span>, but her decision to join the Women of Influence initiative was inspired by the passing of a friend from pancreatic cancer.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Pinch<\/span> felt her overlapping experience, partnering with NHS services, could help women working in cancer research. But <\/span>she<\/span> also values the differences of their working worlds.<\/span> <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cMy mentee has told me how much she values having a confidential and safe space with a woman in business. I\u2019m distanced from her world enough that she feels confident to open up about issues she has.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cAs a mentor that\u2019s what we\u2019re here for. Not to make decision<\/span>s<\/span> but to help them make decisions. I feel incredibly rewarded and have learnt so much about th<\/span>e environment my mentee works in. The best thing for me has been to see her grow in confidence. It\u2019s inspirational.\u201d<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

Moving forward <\/span><\/h2>\n

This year\u2019s theme for International Women\u2019s Day was \u2018embrace equity\u2019. Equity stretches beyond having even numbers, it\u2019s about having equal opportunities and experiences. In discussions at our Women of Influence Fellow\u2019s Meeting, many mentors shared their past experience of not having opportunities to be mentored, let alone mentored by a woman in a senior role. <\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

We want to support <\/span>women in<\/span> research and ensure they feel they have every opportunity to progress. That has to start from the beginning of their careers. Current mentees stressed that focussing on postdoctoral women is a vital step in creating future research leaders. <\/span><\/p>\n

That\u2019s why, on March 7<\/span>th,<\/span> Cancer Research UK hosted a pilot event, \u2018Postdoc Futures: Empowering Women in Cancer Research\u2019. It brought together 70 women from across our postdoctoral community to connect, collaborate and tackle the barriers to progression for women in cancer research. The event aimed to help empower women to take the next step in their career, whatever that might be \u2013<\/span><\/span><\/span> inside or outside of academia.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

As an organisation, we are committed to developing future cancer research leaders. Our aim is to do this not only through funding but also through dedicated career support. We see the Women of Influence initiative as an important part of this mission, ensuring that more women are attracted to a career in science and progress to senior positions. From there, they can be role models for future generations of <\/span>researchers, too<\/span>.<\/span> <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Find out more about Women of Influence here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

More on this topic<\/h3>\n<\/p>\n

Source<\/a><\/p><\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Women of Influence Fellows\u2019 Meeting at The Royal Society in London. The initiative started in 2014, and almost a decade later the scheme has seen around 80 researchers benefitting from their mentor\u2019s experience. There are currently 40 active mentor-mentee pairings, which includes 21 postdoctoral researchers, most of whom are at the beginning of their career. […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[5137],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-28717","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-world-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28717","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=28717"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28717\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":44717,"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/28717\/revisions\/44717"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=28717"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=28717"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/ogkologos.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=28717"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}