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International Women's Day
Inspiring women at Kingston University
Each year, International Women's Day celebrates the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women across the globe. As part of 2019's theme, #BalanceforBetter, we are turning the spotlight on some of our own inspirational staff and students.
Find out more about Kingston University's trailblazing women and why we're proud to be Athena SWAN bronze award holders.
We have been hearing from our talented and inspiring female students and graduates who are getting set to make their mark on society and change lives for the better. Let them tell you how they are going to change the world.
Associate professor Dr Nada Philip, who specialises in video compression, is part of a research team from the University working with Internet of Things firm Pangea to research and develop 5G-equipped applications that can provide a direct link between ambulances and waiting hospital teams. The cutting-edge video streaming system will allow doctors to make life-saving decisions on patient care before they arrive at A&E.
Public health expert Professor Andrea Petroczi outlined the importance of ensuring anti-doping education was provided in a way that supports athletes to compete clean after speaking at the second World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Global Education Conference in Beijing. This included abandoning the assumption most athletes would dope unless stopped, with education shifting towards a more positive, values-based approach.
Grandmother Hilary Forde-Chalkly spoke of how completing a masters degree at the age of 82 had been a life-changing experience when she graduated earlier this year. The retired businesswoman signed up for the MA in Creative Writing at Kingston University after a friend and fellow amateur novelist suggested they apply together after the pair got to know each other at evening classes.
Graphic designers Molly Dunne and Ella Hilton designed the first physical notes for local currency the Kingston Pound as part of a project incorporated in to their final year studies at Kingston School of Art. The pair used locations from across the borough to produce interactive notes showcasing the vibrancy, diversity and history of Kingston upon Thames.
Two teams of Illustration Animation (BA)Hons students have picked up top honours at the Royal Television Society Student Television Awards. Catherine Prowse and Hannah Quinn won both the prestigious Judges Award and the Undergraduate Animation Award for their thought-provoking film Laymun, while fellow graduates Martha Halliday and Hannah McNally carried off the Undergraduate Short feature Award for the intimate portrait of family life, Mm-Hmm.
Dr Jo Yarker, associate professor in occupational and business psychology, was part of a team of researchers who developed a new online toolkit to help employers and staff talk about mental health. In partnership with Loughborough University and Affinity Health at Work, the project involved the creation of a Return to Work website that gives bosses and employees advice and information to help them navigate the return to work process following absences due to stress, anxiety or depression.
Behavioural scientist Professor Gaelle Valle-Tourangeau has been recognised by the World Health Organisation a leading expert in flu vaccination hesitancy following her research in to what motivates some health workers to get vaccinated, and what makes others reluctant to do so. Understanding the reasons behind this vaccination hesitancy would help develop effective interventions to drive behaviour change, Professor Vallée-Tourangeau explained.
Kingston University's Dr Lucy Jones, Edwina Dunn from The Female Lead and Dr Tim Slingsby from Lloyd's Register Foundation explore the challenges that need to be overcome to address the underrepresentation of women in STEM disciplines at an ‘In Conversation With' event organised by the University's Development, Alumni Relations and Engagement team.
International Women's Day 2019 events
It's vital to have positive female role models in STEM subjects and there is currently a real deficit of female leadership in these areas. Ensuring young people fulfil their potential and meet this societal need is so important.
Dr Lucy Jones, Vice Dean of the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing and the University's gender equality champion and lead on Athena SWAN submissions
