Scientists from across the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) gathered at Stormont Castle on 13th February to mark International Day of Women and Girls in Science.
The special occasion, hosted by Head of Civil Service Jayne Brady, welcomed colleagues from every department and from a diverse spectrum of scientific fields that included ecology, civil engineering, statistics, veterinary medicine, marine biology, and Health & Social Care. They were joined by Katrina Godfrey, Permanent Secretary DAERA, Julie Harrison, Permanent Secretary DfI, the new Non-Executive Members of the NICS Board, Chief Scientific Officer Professor Ian Young and Deputy Chief Medical Officer Lourda Geoghegan, who spoke at the event.
It was an opportunity to celebrate the extensive and innovative contribution that local civil servants are making to the science of today and, indeed, the science of tomorrow. In her opening address, Jayne Brady, an engineer, highlighted her own love of science since childhood, as well as the integral role that she sees women in STEM playing within the delivery of NICS strategic priorities. “Each of you,” she stated, “represent so many other NICS Women in STEM that I am proud to stand alongside in helping to make our society a better one through pioneering science and bold innovation.”
The event also provided a welcome opportunity to reflect upon how best to encourage future uptake in science by women and address the challenges of gender imbalance and underrepresentation of women in STEM-related subjects.
Alongside Jill Minne, Director of People and Organisational Development, Jayne Brady reminded delegates that only 21% of our local STEM workforce are women, and that the decline in girls participating in core STEM subjects between the ages of 15 and 18 was approximately 65%, compared to just 6% in boys.
Thanking everyone in attendance for their “valued skills and commitment to making a difference”, Jayne Brady said there was a need to focus on bringing down barriers to women’s progression. This she said was not simply an issue of equality, but “fundamental to the broader interests of scientific development and effective public service.”
Addressing the gathering, Katrina Godfrey discussed the “many real opportunities for women in science in the NICS” and “the need for evidence, analysis and commitment, as we deliver for People, Planet & Prosperity.”