THE WOMEN IN CHEMISTRY GROUP
The first Women in Chemistry conference was founded in 2019, at the initiative of three PhD students, Dara O’Brien, Rhona Savin, and Neelam Mughal. Their idea was to mark International Women’s Day (IWD), by inviting six female chemists to talk about, and celebrate, their career journeys with an inclusive audience. The idea was not only to discuss issues of equality and diversity in the chemical sciences, but to showcase women themselves at centre stage for IWD. The response was hugely positive, and it is now an annual event. Seeing the enormous response to the conference and appetite for change, Dara went on to found the Women in Chemistry Group with the Head of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee in the University of Nottingham School of Chemistry. The group was established as an umbrella-group within the EDI committee, with a particular focus on women’s (and related) issues.
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The Women in Chemistry Group continues to operate as a voluntary organisation of young researchers, academics, and professionals within the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham. Over the past 6 years, we have organised our annual ‘Celebrating Women in Chemistry Conference and Careers Event’  held in honour of International Women’s Day. The conference features inspiring women speakers within academia and industry, providing an insight into their research and career development. It is a fully inclusive careers event for young researchers, that also provides an environment to foster stimulating debate while discussing issues of gender equality and diversity within the scientific community. This year, we have expanded the conference with female speakers in STEM, showcasing experience and knowledge beyond the field of Chemistry.
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We strive to highlight and bring awareness to the barriers that women face, but we also take immense pride in creating an event that celebrates the successes and contributions of women within chemistry. Our event creates an atmosphere unlike any other conference, where delegates feel involved and valued and are able to share their own personal experiences. We hope that everyone leaves our event feeling inspired, optimistic and empowered for their future. We encourage people of all genders to attend the event to stand in solidarity with women scientists and show their support as allies.
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We look forward to celebrating with you soon!
MEET THE TEAM
Adedayo Dada
Dayo is a second year PhD student within the Sustainable Hydrogen CDT, under the supervision of Dr. Graham Newton and Dr. Lee Johnson. Within the NAMI research group, Dayo primarily focuses on polyoxometalate synthesis as molecular hydrogen evolution electrocatalysts for water splitting reactions with conductive nanocarbon materials. Outside the lab, Dayo enjoys keeping active through basketball and wheelchair basketball and walks in the Peak District.
Joanne Searle
Joanne is a third year PhD student under the supervision of Dr Graham Newton and Dr Alexander Saywell. Jo primarily focuses on the design and electrochemical analysis of redox additives for next generation batteries. Soon, she hopes to begin a nanoscale imaging side to her project, using STM to further understand molecular rearrangements that take place during battery cycling. In her spare time, Jo enjoys playing squash and scuba diving, as well as baking anything that involves chocolate.
Margaret Smith
Maggie is a final year PhD student on the CDT for Sustainable Chemistry, working under the supervision of Professor Darren Walsh. Working as a part of the Nottingham Applied Materials and Interfaces (NAMI) groups, she is working on developing next generation battery technology. Her work focuses on the development of new additives and electrolytes for lithium sulfur battery technology. Outside of the lab, I love running, going to gigs and going out with friends.
Nicole Tsang
Nicole has recently submitted her PhD thesis under the supervision of Dr. Graham Newton and Prof. Hon Wai Lam. Working in a multidisciplinary PhD research project, Nicole focused on the design of polyoxometalate materials with application to organic photocatalysis. Currently, Nicole works in the NAMI research group working towards the synthesis of energy storage materials. Outside of the lab, she plays a sport called Korfball and enjoys travelling to new places.
ALUMNI
2024-2025
Adedayo Dada
Joanne Searle
Eleni Axioti
Emily Dixon
Emilie Wheatley
Olivia Munns
Jaime Crossley
Laura Blair
Benjamin Denison
Brinthini Vickneswaran
Arppana Varughese
Evie Crowe
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2021-2022
Abigail Miller
Adam Lee
Alexe Haywood
Eduards Krumins
Elizabeth Hufton
Harriet Fowler
Hetty Walker
Jessica Streets
Kateryna Zhyvitska
Katherine Reynolds
Kristoffer Kortsen
Philippa Jacob
Thria Alkhaldi
Wagma Ayub
2022-2023
Abigail Miller
Adam Lee
Harriet Fowler
Hetty Walker
Jessica Streets
Kateryna Zhyvitska
Katherine Reynolds
Kristoffer Kortsen
Philippa Jacob
Thria Alkhaldi
2023-2024
Adedayo Dada
Joanne Searle
Margaret Smith
Nicole Tsang
2020-2021
Abigail Miller
Ana Alves Costa Pacheco
Barbara Villa Marcos
Eduards Krumins
Ellen Guest
Jessica Streets
Kateryna Zhyvitska
Katherine Jolley
Katherine Reynolds
Megan Thomsett
2019-2020
Ana Alves Costa Pacheco
Bruna Lacerda Da Silva Abreu
Charlotte Roy
Ellen Guest
Marysia Tarnowska
Megan Thomsett
Patrick Morgan
2018-2019
Dara O’Brien
Neelam Mughal
Rhona Savin
AWARDS AND RECOGNITION
Vice-Chancellor’s Medal 2020 - https://exchange.nottingham.ac.uk/blog/vice-chancellors-medal-2020-winners-announced/
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Communications Chemistry 2020 - https://www.nature.com/articles/s42004-020-0296-z
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Nature Chemistry 2019 - https://www.nature.com/articles/s41557-019-0285-y
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EPSRC CDT in Sustainable Chemistry 2019 - https://suschem-nottingham-cdt.ac.uk/index.php/news-blog/article/women-in-chemistry