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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

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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