Women in STEM: Past, Present and Future
On Wednesday 11 March 2026, the NHM IDEA Women’s Network hosted an International Women’s Day event to celebrate the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The afternoon was chaired by Jessica Bradford, Director of Collections, NHM) who skilfully introduced our speakers and facilitated questions to the panel. Presentations were given to a crowded auditorium (and online attendees) by Dr Rhi Smith (Director of Academic Learning and Engagement, Museums and Collections, UoR), Abbie Herdman (Curator of Invertebrates (Non-insects), NHM), Professor Julie Lovegrove (Director of the Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition, UoR), Professor Caroline Smith (Head of Collections and Principal Curator of Meteorites, NHM), Dr Karen Henderson (Head of the Research & Innovation Directorate, UoR) and Dr Shan Shen (Technical Head of the Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics, UoR).
Rhi Smith prompted a reflection on career trajectories by looking at the lives of scientists who were connected to both Reading and the NHM: Ethelwynn Trewavas, Daphne Aubertin, Olive Tattersall, and Barbara Snow, and was followed by inspiring and personal insights from the other speakers. The event shone a well-deserved spotlight on the contributions of women in STEM, drawing connections between ambitious figures of the past and the impactful work being done by women today, along with discussing challenges faced both past and present.
Images © The Trustees of the Natural History Museum