Uniting the women of science and engineering

March 17, 2015

Professor Ruth Wilcox – a MeDe Innovation investigator from the University of Leeds – has been honoured with Suffrage Science Award, supported by the Medical Research Council and the Royal Society, selected by current MRC Suffrage Award holders as outstanding researchers in science and engineering.
As part of the award, the winners receive jewellery, either a brooch or pendant, which is passed down from one generation of leading female scientists to the next.
The heirlooms were hand-crafted and designed by Central Saint Martins college of art and design, and are inspired by the jewellery awarded to women of the Suffrage movement in recognition of their campaign for equal voting rights.
Fellow Leeds academic and previous holder of the Award, Professor Eileen Ingham, nominated Professor Wilcox. Professor Ingham said:  “Ruth leads a large group of both theoretical and experimental researchers and has a passion for cross-disciplinary working. Her high intellect, vitality and enthusiasm for research together with her straightforward, considerate nature is an inspiration to all those who work with her.”
Suffrage Science 2015 is an MRC-funded event that celebrates the achievements of women in engineering and the physical sciences. In 2017, the heirlooms will be passed on again in a bid to encourage more women to pursue leadership roles in the life sciences.
The academics received their award and the heirlooms in a ceremony on Sunday 8 March, which was International Women’s Day.
More information about the awards can be found at MRC Clinical Sciences Centre website.
Photos by Stefan Janusz.