A Q&A with some of the female researchers behind the IRC

To celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day, IRC Communications and Engagement Manager, Becky, caught up with IRC Co-Investigators, Professor Raquel Ortega-Argiles, Professor Jen Nelles, Dr Halima Jibril, Dr Shera Abdul Rahman, and Professor Muthu De Silva, to hear what IWD means to them and how they think action can be accelerated in the innovation space.

What does international women’s day mean to you?

Raquel: It is an opportunity to celebrate the contributions of women from all walks of life, which are often overlooked. It also serves as a platform to inspire younger generations to aim higher. 

Halima: It is a day to celebrate the professional and personal achievements of women despite unequal opportunities and greater ‘hidden’ responsibilities.

Shera: It means a celebration of gender equality, of the progress that we have made as a society to ensure that this society is much more tolerant towards women’s rights and empowerment. However, it is also a day to remember that there is still a lot of work to be done to advance gender equality, especially when you take intersectionality and geographical differences into account.  

Muthu: It is a powerful reminder of the strength, resilience, and creativity of women around the world. 

Jen: It is a reminder that we have a long way to go towards achieving real equality for women globally and that it is our responsibility to celebrate each other, support each other, and take steps towards that goal every day. 

How should we champion gender equality in the research and innovation sector? 

Muthu: Championing gender equality in the research and innovation sector requires a multi-faceted approach. We need to create inclusive policies that ensure equal opportunities for women at all career stages. Mentorship and sponsorship programmes are essential to support women’s professional growth. Additionally, we must address systemic biases by promoting diversity in leadership positions and fostering a culture that values diverse perspectives. It is also important to provide resources and support for work-life balance to help women thrive in their careers.

Halima: Greater recognition of the role of non-technological ‘softer’ aspects of innovations which female-led businesses may pursue, and dedicated funding and research streams for these. Also greater appreciation of the value of multiple goals and ambitions which female researchers and innovators may want to pursue, and supporting them to balance these aspirations. The more work-life balance women have, the better world we will all live in!

Shera: Firstly, what I’ve found through completing the Aurora Leadership Programme (an Advance HE programme to inspire and encourage women in higher education to reach leadership position), is that there are still so many women excluded from decision-making roles. We need to champion and encourage women to take on leadership roles, and it starts from the sort of journeys that I have been fortunate enough to go through. Being part of the IRC, there are so many senior female researchers that I look up to, who are always ready to help myself as an Early Career Researcher. Not only that, the male leaders that we have are always keen to empower us, giving us advice on how to better lead projects and develop our skills to prepare for decision-making positions. Having a nurturing environment like this has helped me build so much confidence which will undoubtedly be integral for a future career in decision-making.

Secondly, through my research of the research and innovation sector, I believe we still need to work hard on fostering inclusive innovation and implement comprehensive policies. Rather than simply “fixing women” through policies that encourage them to conform to existing male-dominated structures, we need to concentrate on transforming the institutions themselves. This involves addressing the root causes of structural gender imbalances within our research and innovation ecosystems. In all of this, embedding intersectionality is also integral, as we know that the experiences of women differ greatly across different social categorisations, such as ethnicity, race, age, religion, disability and sexuality orientation.

Raquel: To promote gender equality, we should create mentorship, fellowship, and secondment programmes, offer speaking opportunities for women, and promote their contributions in internal and external forums and communication channels. All institutions should conduct regular workshops and training sessions for employees focusing on recognising and mitigating unconscious gender bias.

What advice would you give to the next generation of female researchers? 

Jen: Fight for flexibility. What works for one person might not work for you. Balancing life, caring responsibilities, career ambitions, and passions is tough, but you don’t have to fit into a generic box. Find solutions that work for you and advocate for them.      

Muthu: To the next generation of female researchers, I would say: Believe in your capabilities and pursue your passions with determination. Seek out mentors and allies who can support and guide you on your journey. Don’t be afraid to take risks and explore new ideas—innovation often comes from stepping outside of your comfort zone. Remember that your voice and contributions are valuable, and don’t let anyone diminish your potential. 

Shera: Don’t be afraid to speak to and learn from others. Equally, take pride in sharing your own strengths and expertise to those around you, so they know what you are capable of.  

Halima: Apply yourself, know that you are more than capable, and take each challenge as an opportunity for growth. 

Raquel: Take the initiative to get involved and don’t hesitate to seek help when necessary. Find a compassionate female mentor who truly understands your challenges and can guide you on your research journey to success.

How can we support women to embrace innovation? 

Halima: Women are already innovative. It may not always look like what we typically think of as innovation, but we need to widen our own horizons so we see what they do through a new, holistic lens.  Having said that, women do need to be better represented in technological innovation. Its about harnessing those in STEM disciplines, catching them early and providing a clear pathway where they can explore their exciting ideas while maintaining reasonable work-life balance.

Shera: Women are already interested in innovation. What we need to do more is encourage leaders to start structurally reforming the innovation environment that can ensure that women are not discriminated and judged. We need to focus a lot more on targeted interventions that can result in an innovation culture that embraces diversity and inclusivity.

Muthu: Encouraging women to embrace innovation starts with creating an environment that is supportive and inclusive. We need to provide access to resources, funding, and networks that can help women turn their innovative ideas into reality. Celebrating and showcasing the success stories of female innovators can also inspire others. Additionally, offering training and development opportunities in areas such as entrepreneurship, leadership, and technology can empower women to confidently engage in innovative endeavours.

Raquel: Celebrating the achievements of trailblazing female innovators like Marie Curie can inspire aspiring women in STEM. Creating a collaborative environment, organising brainstorming sessions, and facilitating anonymous idea submissions can help unleash creativity. Including female leaders in idea evaluation teams and empowering them as mentors can lead to more equitable outcomes. Targeted training, funding, and resources for female innovators can help develop ground-breaking ideas. By implementing these strategic initiatives, we can cultivate an empowering and inclusive environment that champions innovation and values the vital contributions of female colleagues.

Jen: Women are natural innovators! Not only are women responsible for many transformative innovations, but the multifaceted demands also they face require them to be innovators in their own lives. We should encourage women to share more of what they’ve learned and solutions they have developed.

How can women support one another in the workplace? 

Shera: Championing one another is extremely important. As I’ve mentioned, I’m surrounded by so many female senior researchers who are just fantastic and supportive. Through my interactions with them, I’ve come to appreciate the immense value of proactively offering assistance to others, rather than waiting for someone to ask for help. 

Jen: Encourage each other to excel and take up space. Back each other up. Call out challenges. Operate with integrity in everything you do.

Muthu: Women can support one another by building strong networks and communities where they can share experiences, advice, and encouragement. Mentorship is key—experienced women can guide and advocate for those who are earlier in their careers. It is also important to create an atmosphere of collaboration rather than competition. Recognising and celebrating each other’s achievements fosters a positive and empowering work environment. 

Raquel: Adopting a collaborative approach to work is always the best way forward. Senior colleagues should lead by example and view themselves as role models and mentors. Younger colleagues can benefit from their mentorship and be encouraged to embrace opportunities in various aspects of their professional careers. 

Halima: Cheer each other on, support each others’ growth and learning journeys, mentor each other and have an abundance mindset (collaboration almost always trumps competition!).

Finally, what is a work motto you live by? 

Jen: Take the work seriously; don’t take yourself too seriously. 

Muthu: “Co-creation fuels innovation.” I believe that working together and leveraging diverse perspectives is the key to driving impactful change and achieving our goals.

Shera: Always stay curious and prepared but be mindful not to say yes to everything unless you can fully commit and give it your best effort. 

Raquel: You will get more by collaborating with colleagues than by competing with them.  

Halima: Be like a gardener, not a carpenter (so always put in your best effort, but you never know what’s going to come of it and that is okay).