Gender re-balance: NHLI Women in Science Wikithon

At the end of June, I hosted the first National Heart and Lung Institute’s virtual Wikithon. The aim was to train participants on how to write and edit Wikipedia pages, with a view to increase the number of pages dedicated to women. Currently, less than 25% of all wiki pages on scientists are about women. […]

And I would walk 500km…for the Alzheimer’s Society

For around three years I have been raising money for Alzheimer’s Society as they give really good support to those suffering as well as supporting research, but during this time of COVID-19 there are so many people with Alzheimer’s who are very isolated and need additional support. Alzheimer’s Society are having to take on a […]

Lessons from lockdown: a student’s view

As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, most postgraduate research (PGR) students have had to start working differently. Those who usually spent time in labs, clinics and offices on campus had to adapt to try and continue with their PhDs. This time has taught us a lot about how we can work best, be productive, […]

#BlackLivesMatter

I am writing this blog as the NHLI Lead for Equality, but first and foremost I am writing this as a mother, a wife and a fellow human being. It’s been a difficult week, after months of Lockdown recent events in the US have really crushed me, I’m feeling mentally drained. My in-laws are part […]

Celebrating the International Day of Girls and Women in Science

On 11th February 2020, we celebrated the International Day of Girls and Women in Science. Imperial women scientists and leaders in STEM, shared their career paths, role models, successes, failures, internationally recognised expertise and – most importantly – their love of science with over 350 school girls. Speakers shared pieces of advice they would give […]

Inspiring the next generation of Women in Science

PhD student Lauren Headley returned to her former school to talk to current pupils about what it’s like to be a woman in science and what an important role it is for everyone. I am an old girl. By which I mean I am part of the alumni group at my old secondary school. I […]

Bullying and Harassment in research: time for change

Last Wednesday’s Guardian revealed that researchers are facing shocking levels of stress. The article reveals that discrimination and bullying and harassment are major contributors to these high stress levels. In a survey undertaken by the Wellcome Trust, two thirds of those who took part had witnessed bullying or harassment. This type of toxic culture has […]

Imperial ‘SAID’ Seminars- Scientists Advocating for Inclusivity and Diversity

During the spring term of 2020 ImperialSAID seminars (scientists advocating for inclusivity and diversity) will launch. ImperialSAID will be the largest collaborative seminar series created for and delivered by the Imperial College London community, focused on raising awareness of biases in STEM to redefine workplace culture within the university. Every fortnight, a one hour talk […]

How to engage the public and work with the media on human infection challenge studies: an LMIC focus

The HIC-Vac Network was established in 2017 to bring together researchers who work on human infection challenge studies – a study during which volunteers are purposefully exposed to a pathogen in a safe and managed way, with healthcare support, to accelerate the development of vaccines against pathogens of high global impact. Funded by the MRC […]

Success for NHLI at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology Conference

This year’s European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) in Lisbon, Portugal, was an exciting congress for the Immunomodulation and Tolerance Group (ITG). Dr Mohamed Shamji group cutting-edge research was well-received and highlighted with each member presenting their cutting-edge research, pioneering the future of allergen immunotherapy (AIT). Over 8600 clinicians, researchers and allied health […]