Dr Melissa Webby: In 10 years has anything changed for Women and Girls in Science?
We spoke to six women – undergraduates and researchers from the University of Warwick – to learn about their experiences of nurturing talent in girls and women in stem. There remain barriers entry with the UN reporting only 12% of members in national science academies are women. And for women and girls marginalised by culture, disabilities, rural deprivation and those who identify as LGBTQ+ – the barriers to entry and progression are even higher.
It’s been 10 years since the UN announced the first International Day of Women and Girls in Science to highlight the gender gap in Stem-related fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) and the slow progress of women into senior positions. As of 2023, the number of women graduates in Stem had increase by 5% to just 35% since 2014, when the Awareness Day launched.
Dr Melissa Webby
Assistant Professor of Biochemistry, Department of Life Sciences, The University of Warwick
“Initially, I just wanted to be a researcher and travel the world. Now, as I start my own research group, my goal is to establish myself as a scientist and help train the next generation, especially women, to find their passion in science. I want to encourage others to be excited about research and to create a team that produces quality, dependable science.”
How did you get into science
"I grew up on a small farm in rural New Zealand, I was good at PE, and geography in school, but found science more challenging. My brother was at the University of Canterbury, New Zealand, so I applied for a degree in biochemistry to join him. My curiosity and passion for the structure and beauty of proteins hooked me on research and I won a scholarship for a PhD at the University of Auckland, considered the best university in New Zealand at the time."
What excited you about a career in science?
“As I advanced in my degree, I became more excited, especially when we started doing projects. I found a love for practical work in the lab. I was fascinated by how proteins, though tiny, do incredible things in our bodies and in the world. The fact that I could discover something no one else had seen before made the work even more exciting.”
What is your ambition now you are leading a research programme
"I’d like to train the next generation, particularly women coming through, to be excited about what they do, because if you're not passionate then the pressure of having to publish in this super competitive environment gets too much."
What was a turning point in your career?
“During my PhD, having a group of women around me—like the “Miley Mondays” where we’d listen to Miley Cyrus songs while working—was crucial in lifting me up during tough times. I realised at this time that women, tended to wait until they feel their work is truly remarkable before talking about it so building a supportive community in science, whether through women or male mentors, is so important to boosting confidence and overcoming challenges. Then during my Postdoc I learnt that you don't have to know everything to succeed in science. People love being asked about what they do, and I realised I could talk to Colleagues without having a strong knowledge base in their field/technique, and it is a wonderful opportunity to collaborate and learn.”
