Many congratulations to Programme Leader and Deputy Director of the MRC Biostatistics Unit, Dr Daniela De Angelis, who has received a Suffrage Science Award.

A hundred years after the first women in Britain got the vote, women still only make up 23% of those working in core science, technology, engineering and mathematics occupations in the UK.

Solving the pipeline issue is a long-term challenge for maths and computing with female students making up only 15% of undergraduate computer science students and 37% of mathematical sciences students in 2016/17, compared to 61% of Biological Sciences students.

The Suffrage Science scheme was initiated by Professor Dame Amanda Fisher, Director of the MRC London Institute of Medical Sciences (MRC LMS) in 2011. Amanda says “The creation of the Maths and Computing Suffrage Sciences Awards in 2016 recognised the increasing importance of mathematics and computing to the life sciences. As in all branches of the awards their purpose is to celebrate female scientists, their scientific achievements and ability to inspire others. This is especially important in maths and computing where female students studying these subjects are still in the minority. We are delighted to welcome this year’s awardees into the growing Suffrage Science community and look forward to supporting them to inspire the next generation.”

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Today, Monday 8th October 2018, 11 scientists from across the UK are being presented with hand-crafted jewellery at the Suffrage Science awards ceremony held at the British Library, London. The awards celebrate women in science and encourage others to enter science and reach senior leadership roles.

The 2018 award winners are:

• Dr Ruth Keogh – London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine
• Dr Tereza Neocleous – University of Glasgow
• Dr Nina Snaith – University of Bristol
• Dr Daniela De Angelis – MRC Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge
• Dr Eugenie Hunsicker – Loughborough University
• Professor Sally Fincher – University of Kent
• Professor Julie McCann – Imperial College London
• Professor Jane Hillston – University of Edinburgh
• Professor Ursula Martin – University of Oxford
• Dr Hannah Dee – University of Aberystwyth
• Dr Vicky Neale – University of Oxford

The awards occur every 2 years and the 11 awardees for 2018 have been chosen by the previous award holders for their scientific achievements and ability to inspire others. Daniela was nominated by Unit Director and 2016 winner, Professor Sylvia Richardson. Sylvia’s reasons for nominating Daniela were:

“Daniela has established an international reputation for her research on statistical methods in epidemic modelling and complex evidence synthesis. Her methodological research is closely married with her important public health impact that she delivers through her joint position at Public Health England, her numerous international collaborations and her participation in expert groups.”

The awards themselves are items of jewellery, inspired by the Suffrage movement, and are passed on as heirlooms from one female scientist to the next. The jewellery was created by art students from Central St Martins who worked with scientists to design pieces inspired by research and the Suffragette movement, from which the award scheme takes its name.

Alongside the awards, former BBC journalist Susan Watts will lead a discussion about the most striking positive developments and ongoing challenges faced by women in maths and computing. On the eve of Ada Lovelace day new recipient, Professor Ursula Martin, University of Oxford will discuss her new book ‘Ada Lovelace: The making of a Computer Scientist’. Alongside inaugural awardee Professor Carron Shankland, University of Stirling who will share her experience of gender diversity in computing and the value of networks. While Professor Dame Celia Hoyles, University College London will share her insights on the current landscape of mathematics education and explore areas where more action is needed.