News

Six Dunn School women are featuring in an Oxford Medical Sciences campaign marking the centenary in October 2020, of the admittance of women as full members of the University of Oxford. 

In celebration of this historic landmark the 100 Women of Oxford Medical Sciences project showcases women today occupying diverse and vital roles across the Medical Sciences Division. 

In the run up to International Women’s Day on 8 March 2021 we proudly introduce our Dunn School women featured in the campaign and note their impassioned calls for further progress on gender equity over the next 100 years. #ChooseToChallenge #IWD2021:

    Saroj Saurya (Post-doctoral Laboratory Manager, Raff Lab) – from a village in India to a postdoctoral degree at Oxford and lab manager role at Oxford University. Her life story – traversing  continents and cultures, and personal and professional challenges – reads like a film script. “There should be more opportunities for women to be the leaders and at the top decision levels.”

    Monika Gullerova (Associate Professor and Group Leader) – fuelled by a passion for scientific discoveries she’s not only conquering academia she’s conquering the innovation sector too. And all this whilst valuing her role as a mum. “I would like to see more women in senior academic positions. This can only happen if the academic environment provides support to the extent that women stop seeing having a family as a burden that will negatively impact upon their career progression.”

    Emily Furlong (Postdoctoral Researcher, Lea Lab) – she’s as proud of her campaigning activity as part of the Dunn School’s Anti Bullying Working Group, as she is of her scientific research. Now working as a postdoc back in her home country, Australia, she remains determined to challenge research culture machismo: “I’d really like to see some serious action taken to improve research culture. Particularly, I’d like to see a shift away from the “publish or perish” mindset and a greater focus on developing well-rounded research leaders who truly value equity, diversity and inclusion.“

    Natalie Davis (Teaching and Services Technician) – Apprentice Technician of the Year to Dunn School employee. She’s integrated herself into a male dominated Services team and improved working practices, gently challenging gender and academic stereotypes along the way. “By improving access to a medical science career through apprenticeships it will bring a more diverse range of people into the sector which in turn could lead to new discoveries”

    Catarina Vicente (Science Strategy and Projects Manager) – from Dunn School DPhil student, to public engagement professional in and outside of academia, to a senior strategic role back at the Dunn School.  Cat’s distinctive career path and niche role at the interface of research and administration sets her apart as a trail blazer. “I would like Medical Sciences to be more inclusive…….engaging meaningfully with the world at large. This would make research fairer, more relevant and undoubtedly richer.”

    Errin Johnson (Electron Microscopy Manager) – from Australia to Oxford, from plant cell biologist to electron microscopist. Errin’s story shows the organic route to personal and career development can work out perfectly if backed up by a thirst for knowledge and a determination to take the leap. “I would like to see more women in leadership positions within the Division (for example, as Departmental heads), an end to the gender pay gap and more opportunities for people in academic support roles to receive academic recognition for their work.”