It seems ages now since our last Women in STEM networking event took place. These events provided women working in science and technology an opportunity to meet together in a friendly and supportive environment, to learn from each other’s experiences and anecdotes. We heard some fantastic tales from some truly inspirational women, leaving us in awe of their achievements and their ability to overcome prejudice in the workplace.

Prior to lockdown, we had plans to build the network. We were confident that we had the momentum to go forward. Our focus was to encourage more women into STEM careers and to provide role models for a future generation of girls. We planned to create something really special in Wales that could exist beyond the remit of the Technocamps programme.

We are therefore really pleased to announce that we are planning to take the network into the virtual world. We may not be able to meet up physically at the moment, but we do have the tools and technology to meet virtually.

Our first session will take place on the 10th July 2020 between 12 and 1 pm – perfectly timed to fit in with your lunchtime! 

The topic for discussion will be Does gender equality really matter in Science and Technology and our guest speakers will be Nicole Ponsford & Cat Widman from The Gender Equality Collective.

Nic Ponsford FRSA is Co-CEO and Founder.

Nic is an educational and technology thought leader, a Harvard author (TechnoTeaching), award-winning teacher, TES columnist and EdTech50 Judge. Nicole is also a frequent contributor to The Guardian, Innovate My School and Teachwire, as well as a keynote speaker and panellist, most recently at BETT20 and for the RSA.

She was awarded a place on the EdTech50 (2018) as one of the fifty leading pioneers in the UK EdTech sector. She is currently supporting the Dfe Edtech Demonstrator Schools and Colleges Programme as the SW Regional Lead.

Nic is also co-lead for LeanInGirlsUK and a Steering Group member for MITEY (Men in the Early Years) and started a Doctorate in 2018 researching the UK’s digital gender gap and bias in education.

Cat Wildman is co-Founder.

Cat studied science throughout her education, earning a degree in Biomedical and Physiological Sciences. From there she went into Technology and found her home. Co-Founder of The GEC, Cat writes and speaks at events on her favourite topics; digital product, start-ups, working parents and of course all things Diversity Equity/Equality and Inclusion.

Even as a STEM “lifer”, it wasn’t until she became an employer that Cat realised there was such a problem with gender disparity in the workplace, especially in STEM careers. However, it was when she became a mother that she realised that she had a personal responsibility to change things.

As women specialists on gender equality in the workplace, with particular experience in the fields of technology and science, we are sure you will learn a great deal from both Cat and Nic. If you are a woman working in the STEM field, why not join us for the first of our virtual inspirational networking meetings?