What progress has been made, and what more is needed to bring more women into science and other professions where they are underrepresented? Explore the impacts of societal expectations and stereotyping with prominent experts from three such fields, physics, technology and economics.
Hear three leading experts, Prof Athene Donald, physicist, Tabitha Goldstaub, tech entrepreneur, and Prof Diane Coyle, economist, discuss their experiences of working in male-dominated subjects, how [if] things have progressed, whether the digital revolution could have huge ramifications for the gender gap, and the significance to society and the economy.
This special event marks the publication of Athene Donald’s book: Not just for the boys: why we need more women in science, and was hosted in the Wren Library, Trinity College.
Guest speakers
Diane Coyle is the Bennett Professor of Public Policy at the University of Cambridge. Diane co-directs the Bennett Institute where she heads research under the themes of progress and productivity. She also a Director of the Productivity Institute, a Fellow of the Office for National Statistics, an expert adviser to the National Infrastructure Commission, and Senior Independent Member of the ESRC Council. Her latest book is Cogs and Monsters: What Economics Is, and What It Should Be. Diane was awarded a DBE in 2023 for her invaluable contributions to economic policy and practice, as well as her unwavering commitment to public service.
Athene Donald is Professor Emerita in Experimental Physics and Master of Churchill College, University of Cambridge. She has spent her career in Cambridge, specialising in soft matter physics and physics at the interface with biology. She is the author of Not Just for the Boys: why we need more women in Science. She was the University of Cambridge’s first Gender Equality Champion and has been involved in numerous initiatives concerning women in science. She was elected Fellow of the Royal Society in 1999 and appointed DBE for services to Physics in 2010.
Tabitha Goldstaub is Exec Director of Innovate Cambridge — starting a conversation about an ambitious and inclusive innovation vision for The Greater Cambridge Region. She is Chair of the UK government’s AI Council and a member of the UK government’s DCMS Digitial Economy Council. She is the co-founder of CogX and was also the co-founder of the video distribution company Rightster (IPO 2011.) She is the author of How To Talk To Robots – A Girls’ Guide to a World Dominated by AI. Tabitha was appointed MBE in 2022 for services to the artificial intelligence sector.