An Exciting Week of Celebrations for International Women's Day 2024

The School of Biological Sciences' SWAN committee organized a fantastic week of events to celebrate International Women's Day (IWD) on March 8th, 2024. Under this year's theme, "Inspire Inclusion," the events showcased the talents and discussions of staff and students, promoting equality and diversity throughout.

 

Monday, March 4, 2024: International Women's Day Coffee Morning

The week kicked off with a celebratory coffee morning for all staff and students. The IWD-themed cupcakes were a particular highlight, setting a festive tone for the events that followed.

Tuesday, March 5, 2024: PGR Discussion Panel

Chaired by Dr. Edel Hyland, our Postgraduates held a compelling discussion panel that explored SWAN discussion themes. The panel was well-received, and plans are now underway to include more such events in the future.

Wednesday, March 6, 2024: I am Woman Exhibition

Our Artist in Residence, Lise McGreevy, delivered an inspirational talk and presented her powerful equality/diversity exhibition. The event included a tour of her artwork and a question and answer session, enriching the experience. Paula Bradshaw MLA also joined the event, delivering an inspirational talk on equality, diversity, and inclusion

Thursday, March 7, 2024: STEM NI Presentation/Workshop

STEM NI participated throughout the week with an information station and display that highlighted the positive role of STEM ambassadors. The Thursday workshop was particularly notable, providing an exploratory experience that encouraged participation, especially from our male colleagues to address underrepresentation in STEM fields.

Throughout the week, more than 30 female staff and students contributed their profiles to a wonderful display of posters and TV screen rollings within the School Atrium area, celebrating the female talent we are so proud of within the School. These posters will serve as a "living wall" in the School's entrance foyer going forward, with new additions to include male profiles on an inclusive rolling basis.

Conclusion

It was a fantastic week for all involved, providing insightful discussions and idea sharing. Many photos of these inspirational events showcase the enthusiasm engaged by the many staff and students who attended. This year's IWD events not only celebrated achievements but also sparked ongoing initiatives for greater inclusion within the School of Biological Sciences.

#InspireInclusion

Photos from the events can be found here.