We are really pleased that Newcastle University IUPAC’s Global Women’s breakfast 2022 was a success. It  is an event that happens on a single day in February of each year in conjunction with the U.N Day of Women and Girls in Science. The aim is to celebrate the accomplishments of Women in Science and to inspire younger generations to pursue careers in science. The theme for 2022 was “Empowering Diversity in Science”. Women and men from all types of science organisations working in all areas of science come together to share breakfast either virtually or in person. 

There were more than 70 attendees: staff, postdocs, post-graduate students and undergraduates.

We had very inspirational talks from Carolyne Dessent (University of York, Professor of Physical Chemistry and HoD), Ndiarka Mbodji (Kowry Energy GmbH, CEO) and Nicola Curtin (Newcastle University, Professor of Experimental Therapeutics). This was followed by a panel discussion with Rafiq Taj Aldeen (Newcastle University, Synthetic Chemistry PDRA), Lucy Whalley (Northumbria University, Computational Chemistry, V-C’s Fellow), Lawrence Bruce (Newcastle University, Energy Materials PhD student), Kelechi Uleanya (University of York, Spectroscopy PhD student), Calum Day (Newcastle University, Aerosols PhD student). Diverse issues and struggles from the panellists throughout their careers were raised up followed by questions/comments from the audience.

Also, all the posters submitted for the Diverse faces in Chemistry Poster competition 2022 were displayed. Lots of effort made by our undergraduate and postgraduate students which was worth a prize for each of them and will also contribute to decorate the Bedson walls. A particular horray to the first prize winner; our stage 1 undergraduate student Annie Bigg for her poster on Yvonne Connolly. She is a computational Scientist and the first person to apply computational methods to pharmaceuticals.

After that there was a satellite event: Decolonising the Curriculum in Chemistry. Started with a presentation by Kelechi Uleanya (School of Chemistry, York) and ended with Q&A and an informal open discussion.

Last but not least, the food was delicious and gave us plenty of energy to go through the week. Thanks a lot to ours sponsors (The Royal Society of Chemistry, SNES Equality Diversity and Inclusion committee and Chemistry funds), to the organisers for their hard work and commitment and to all of you for coming.