Celebrating Women in Science: Evidence, Experience, and Change

To mark the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, join us for an inspiring early-evening event that brings together leading researchers and practitioners to explore women’s experiences, opportunities, and challenges in the science and technology sectors.

This event showcases cutting-edge research and practice on women’s careers in STEM, with a particular focus on mental health, gendered risk in technology entrepreneurship, and the rapidly growing FemHealth sector. Our guest speakers will examine how women navigate careers and innovation in science and technology, the structural and cultural barriers they encounter, and what meaningful change looks like in practice.

Designed for academics, students, and practitioners, the session offers not only insight but also space for discussion, reflection, and networking. Whether you are interested in inclusive innovation, women’s entrepreneurship, or the future of women’s health, this event provides a timely and thought-provoking forum to connect research with real-world impact.

Presenter Biographies:

Dulini Fernando - Professor of Work and Organisation, Aston Business School
Professor Dulini Fernando researches on highly skilled careers, diversity and inclusion, workplace mistreatment and work in multinational organisations. Dulini’s research has been published in an array of prestigious business and management journals including the Academy of Management Learning and Education, Academy of Management Discoveries and Harvard Business Review. Dulini’s research has been funded by UKERC, UKRI ESRC, British Academy, Midland Innovation, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council Canada and GCRF. In 2021, Dulini was chosen as a British Academy Mid-Career Fellow to examine intersectionality in the careers of skilled refugees. Dulini's research has influenced government policy and organisational practice and is cited in international media. Dulini serves as a member of the ESRC assessor college.

Sally Jones – Reader in Entrepreneurship and Gender Studies, Manchester Metropolitan University
Dr Sally Jones is based at the Centre for Decent Work and Productivity at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research interests include gender and entrepreneurship education, women’s business growth trajectories, and the role of class and gender in the enterprise culture. She secured a Leverhulme International Fellowship from 2023 – 2025, based at Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden) and has ongoing collaborative relationships with Scandinavian and South African colleagues, focused on women Tech founders. Sally co-chaired the Gender and Enterprise Network (GEN), a Special Interest Group of the Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE), for 10 years and continues to serve as a committee member. Her work is published in journals such as International Small Business Journal, Journal of Small Business Management and Gender, Work and Organization.

Charlotte Lewis - Commercial Health and Technology Lawyer at Mills & Reeve LLP
An award winning commercial and technology lawyer specialising in the health and care sector, Charlotte advises health and care organisations on legal, commercial and strategic issues relating to commissioning, contracting and collaborating. Having worked on a range of health and social care projects from system and place based integration and provider collaboration to electronic patient record procurements and digital health platform development, Charlotte works in partnership with clients to help them to navigate complex issues in order to deliver the desired outcome.

Charlotte leads the Women’s Health team at Mills & Reeve, which brings together lawyers from across the technology, health and life science sectors. The team’s thought leadership campaign FemHealth Focus features high profile stakeholders from across women’s health with a focus on key issues such as investment and support, research and data and policy and strategy.

Charlotte is an advocate for innovation and transformation in the sector and in addition to her legal role at Mills & Reeve she has been elected to co-vice chair techUK’s Health and Social Care Council.

Krystal Wilkinson - Reader in Human Resource Management, Manchester Metropolitan University
Dr Krystal Wilkinson is based at the Centre for Decent Work and Productivity at Manchester Metropolitan University. Her research focuses on health and wellbeing at work and tackling inequalities. Current and recent research projects have focused on solo-living staff; those navigating complex fertility journeys; maternity management; mental health in pregnancy and post-birth; women’s reproductive health; and mental health at work. She has published in leading academic journals, featured in various media outlets and trade press (including the BBC, and the Wall Street Journal) and is lead editor of the 2024 book: Work-Life Inclusion: Broadening perspectives across the life-course. Krystal is passionate about knowledge exchange and works with various stakeholders to raise awareness and create resources, including the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), national charities, campaign groups and employers. She is a Chartered Member of the CIPD and the first ambassador for the Maternal Mental Health Alliance.

Info: Exploring the career work of women professionals in STEM with mental health issues

Info: A law firm’s analysis on closing the women’s health divide

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Host or Publisher Man Met University, Faculty of Business and Law