The portrait exhibition of women in science, engineering, technology and Medicine can be seen at City Hall from 15 February to 19 March - <em>News release</em>
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For immediate release
Thursday 11 February 2010
From improving safety in Formula 1 to understanding probability in poker, women in science demonstrate how their work is contributing to the world in a free exhibition opening at City Hall next Monday.
The month long photo exhibition 100 Women - 100 Visions, shows women scientists, engineers and doctors from Imperial College London highlighting different aspects of their work in a series of portraits taken by award-winning photographer Jackie King. The event also features a brief explanation from each woman about the science behind the image plus resources for children to guide them round the exhibition and encourage them to engage with it.
The portraits show women in a variety of different career stages, from students to professors, and across a range of subjects. They include:
- a research postgraduate in aeronautics who poses with carbon fibre composite tubes crushed to simulate the impact of a Formula One car crash. She explains: “By increasing the amount of energy absorbed we can ensure that cars meet the stringent safety requirements and, more importantly, keep the drivers from harm in their race to the finish line”.
- a mechanical engineering research assistant, shown wearing a set of cogs around her neck, who works on tribology, the science of friction, wear and lubrication. She says: “You find it not only in machines and vehicles, but also when you slip on ice or even use hair conditions. It’s everywhere and there’s still so much to discover”.
- a senior lecturer in mathematics, pictured juggling dice, who says: “I am fascinated by the theory behind probability-based decision making, from whether to raise in poker to my own research interests in time series analysis”.
The exhibition is organised by Imperial’s Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (WSET) student society, which provides career development and networking events for women academics at the College and aims to encourage more young women to consider a career in science. Electrical engineering PhD student Ellin Saunders, one of the leaders of the exhibition, says:
“This is a really eye opening exhibition that shows the range of opportunities a career in science can open up, and the women involved have found very imaginative ways to illustrate their research. Whether you’re passing City Hall and fancy seeing some interesting photography or you have children who want to know what scientists really do, I think this is something that everybody can enjoy.”
Co-organiser Aiman Alam-Nazki, a Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology PhD student at Imperial, adds that they hope the exhibition will address preconceptions about working in science, technology and medicine, and encourage more girls to think about pursuing science subjects at A level, university and beyond. She says:
“Things have really opened up for women in many fields previously seen as the preserve of men. We wanted to celebrate that by capturing a visual record of the community of female scientists, engineers and doctors here at Imperial. The exciting thing about the City Hall exhibition is we can share that story with the public and hopefully inspire young visitors to seriously consider these areas for their careers.”
The exhibition runs from 15 February to 19 March. City Hall is open to the public each weekday, from 8.30 to 18.00 on Mondays to Thursdays and from 8.30 to 17.30 on Fridays. The portraits can be seen in full at: www.union.ic.ac.uk/scc/100women100visions/.
For further information contact:
John-Paul Jones
Imperial College London Press Office
Tel: 020 7594 6704
Email: john-paul.jones@imperial.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About Imperial College London
Consistently rated amongst the world's best universities, Imperial College London is a science-based institution with a reputation for excellence in teaching and research that attracts 14,000 students and 6,000 staff of the highest international quality.
Innovative research at the College explores the interface between science, medicine, engineering and business, delivering practical solutions that improve quality of life and the environment - underpinned by a dynamic enterprise culture.
Since its foundation in 1907, Imperial's contributions to society have included the discovery of penicillin, the development of holography and the foundations of fibre optics. This commitment to the application of research for the benefit of all continues today, with current focuses including interdisciplinary collaborations to improve health in the UK and globally, tackle climate change and develop clean and sustainable sources of energy.
Website: www.imperial.ac.uk
About Imperial College London’s Women in SET Society
Imperial’s Women in SET student society was created in 2007 to encourage female science and engineering graduates to pursue careers in SET but also to encourage young women to consider pursuing science, engineering and technology degrees at university. Through the events they organise they aim to challenge the preconceptions students have about scientists and engineers, raise the profile of SET careers for women and provide budding women scientists with visible role-models they can aspire to.
Website: http://www.imperialcollegeunion.org/clubs-and-societies/a-to-z/w/women-in-set/
About Jackie King
Jackie King, the exhibition’s photographer, was UK British Professional Photographer and British Portrait Photographer of the Year in 2005.
Website: http://www.jackieking.net/
Article text (excluding photos or graphics) available under an Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike Creative Commons license.
Photos and graphics subject to third party copyright used with permission or © Imperial College London.
