The event, sponsored by the School’s Gender Equality and Outreach committees, aims to inspire young female and gender minority mathematicians and physicists to consider a career in these areas. The schoolgirls taking part heard from a range of current students, staff and former graduates who discussed what inspired them to study these subjects what career opportunities are available for maths and physics graduates. In addition, the schoolgirls took part in a range of interactive activities that highlighted the research carried out within the School of Maths and Physics.

Dr Meg Schwamb, IOP Juno Champion for the School of Maths and Physics, said, “Women and gender minorities continue to be under-represented in STEM subjects. We hope the event today, and others like it, will highlight the work carried out by these groups in the School of Maths and Physics and inspire the schoolgirls to see that there are pathways for them to pursue careers in these subject areas.”

Dr Daniel Dundas, Athena Swan Champion for the School of Maths and Physics, said, “It was great to see so many schoolgirls at the event today. It’s not always clear how the subjects studied at school apply in the real world. Seeing what other women and gender minorities in the School of Maths and Physics have achieved will hopefully make them realise that this is something that they too can aspire to.”