Events Programme 2026
This page provides details of events, activities and talks taking place at Queen Mary as part of International Women’s Day and Women’s History Month.
Listings will continue to be updated throughout the month.
Women’s Week: Women in Healthcare Talk and Networking Event
Date: Monday 2 March 2026
Time: 6:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Milton Lecture Theatre, Garrod Building
Registration: Registration closed
Organised by Queen Mary Students’ Union (BLSA Women’s Representatives Madhura Sivakumar and Divyani Bhudia, alongside Diya Mary Selastin, Queen Mary Students’ Union President) the Barts and The London Students' Association.
Join us for an evening of discussion and networking celebrating women in healthcare. This event brings together leading professionals from across medicine, research and health advocacy to share their experiences, insights and journeys.
The session offers an opportunity to explore different career pathways, reflect on challenges and progress within the sector, and connect with peers in a supportive environment.
The event includes a series of talks from invited speakers followed by networking.
Speakers include:
- Professor Jo Martin, Professor of Pathology and NHS England National Specialty Advisor for Pathology
- Professor Parveen Kumar, Founder and co-editor of Kumar and Clark’s Clinical Medicine and Past President of the Medical Women’s Federation
- Dr Khadija Owusu, Founder of Melanin Medics and global health advocate
- Professor Aylin Baysan, Athena SWAN Chair supporting gender equality in higher education and research
- Dr Parmis Vafapour, Founder of First Gen Doctors and the Empowerment Project
This event is open to students and staff interested in healthcare careers, gender equality in medicine, and building supportive professional networks.
Women's Week Stall and Drop in
Monday 02 March 2026, 2:30pm - 5pm
Garrod Foyer, Garrod Building
Women's Week Stall and Drop in
About this event
Visit the QMUL Student Society’s stall to learn more about Women’s Week, upcoming events, and how you can get involved.
We will be sharing information, resources, and ways to celebrate and support gender equality on campus. Stop by to show your support and find out what’s happening throughout the week.
Queen Mary International Women’s Day Panel
Date: Tuesday 3 March 2026
Time: 4:00 to 5:30 pm
Location: People’s Palace Lecture Theatre 1 (also available online)
Registration: Register for the Queen Mary International Women’s Day Panel
A cross institute panel bringing together women in academic and leadership roles from across Queen Mary. The discussion reflects on the International Women’s Day 2026 theme, ‘Give to Gain’, exploring reciprocity, mentorship and collective support.
The session includes a chaired Q&A, followed by refreshments in the People’s Palace Foyer. Open to staff and students. In person places are limited, with an online viewing option available.
Panellists:
Professor Amrita Ahluwalia, Dean for Research, Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Dr Bryony Butland, Director of Research and Innovation
Professor Kavita Datta, Interim Deputy Vice-Principal, Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
Professor Hazel Screen, Head of School of Engineering and Materials Science
Diya Mary Selastin, QMSU President
The Panel will be Chaired by Professor Elizabeth Tanner, Bonfield Professor of Biomedical Materials, Faculty of Science and Engineering
ITS EmpowerHER Day 2026
Date: Wednesday 4 March 2026
Time: 11:30 am to 6 pm
Location: The Graduate Centre, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS
Registration: Register for ITS EmpowerHER Day 2026
Hosted by the IT Services Women in Tech Network, EmpowerHER Day centres on career development, leadership progression and inclusion within technology and digital environments.
The event aims to highlight women’s experiences and achievements, offer practical insight into career pathways including leadership and project management, create space for discussion around challenges and resilience, and strengthen peer networks across departments.
The programme includes workshops, speaker sessions, networking opportunities and lunch.
Programme
Arrival
11:30 am – Registration and refreshments (Graduate Centre Foyer and GC701)
Welcome
11:40 am – Introduction (GC701) – Cathie Jayakumar
11:45 am – Welcome speech (GC701) – Rachel Bence, Chief Information Officer, QMUL
12 pm – Networking lunch (GC701) – Sponsored stalls from Checkpoint and REED
Stream 1: Upskilling in Technology (GC202)
1 pm – Enterprise Architecture
Speakers: Hannah Beeson, Kirti Bodhmage, Ella Rice
1:30 pm – Levelling up in ITS: Practical to Project Management
Speakers: Melissa Jane Olivier, Sade Giwa, Uloma Abe
2 pm – From Graduation to a Cyber Career
Speakers: Ellen Wilkins and Bronte Rose (Checkpoint)
3:10 pm – Role of Students in Excellence in AI
Speaker: Pierre Barclay
3:40 pm – The Soft Skills Needed to be a Successful Leader
Speaker: Julia Phippard
Stream 2: Being a Woman in the Modern Workplace (GC101)
1 pm – Learning to Be Your Best Self
Speaker: Julita Inca Chiroque
1:30 pm – Leading in a Digital Era: A Dean’s Career Journey
Speaker: Professor Chie Adachi
2 pm – Being a woman in leadership
Speaker: Joane Kirner
2:25 pm to 2:40 pm – Coffee break (GC701)
2:40 pm – Keynote Speaker
Speaker: Rachel Bence
3:10 pm – Building Resilience
Speaker: Petra Dodd
Panel and Close
4:20 pm – Panel session: Connecting the Dots (GC101)
5 pm – Networking drinks (GC701)
Girls in Maths Taster Day
Date: Wednesday 4 March 2026
Time: 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Location: G.O. Jones Building, Mile End Campus
Registration: Contact maths-outreach@qmul.ac.uk for further information
Designed for Year 12 and Year 13 students who identify as a woman and/or non-binary, this taster day offers an insight into studying Mathematics at university within Queen Mary’s School of Mathematical Sciences.
Participants will explore the subject through interactive sessions and hear from leading academics working at the forefront of mathematical research.
The programme includes: 
- A session with Professor Claudia Garetto exploring the hidden history of mathematics, highlighting the contributions of women across time and challenging traditional narratives of the discipline
- A talk from Dr Katy Clough on gravity and astrophysical black holes, linking mathematical theory to concepts such as wormholes, time travel and the Big Bang
- Opportunities to take part in taster lectures and interactive activities
- Conversations with current students and society representatives
- A guided campus tour
- Refreshments provided throughout the day
This event aims to build confidence, challenge perceptions of mathematics, and support students in considering progression to higher education in mathematical sciences.
EmpowerHER
Date: Thursday 5 March 2026
Time: 6:15 pm to 7:30 pm
Location: Blomeley Room 1 at Queen Mary University Students' Union, Mile End (No registration required)
In celebration of International Women’s Day, join us as we spotlight the women shaping the future of Actuarial Science and Insurance.
From pensions to underwriting, our guest speakers are building careers, breaking barriers and paving the way for the next generation.
This event is open to all genders. Everyone is welcome to attend, learn and celebrate.
We will also be raising awareness of endometriosis, recognising that empowerment includes supporting women’s health and wellbeing, both professionally and personally.
Refreshments and goody bags will be provided.
Breaking Barriers in Science and Engineering
Date: Monday 9 March
Time: 10:00 to 12:30pm
Location: Graduate Centre, Top Floor Space (No registration required)
Join us for an inspiring event exploring how we can overcome systemic barriers in STEM and create a supportive, collaborative community that drives meaningful change. Our speakers represent different career stages and bring a range of lived experiences. They will share their journeys, reflect on the challenges they have faced, and highlight the approaches that have shaped their success.
Bringing together researchers, academics and professionals, this event offers an opportunity to exchange ideas, reflect on progress, and celebrate the achievements of women in science and engineering.
Programme
10.00 – 10.45 Networking Breakfast
10.45 – 12.30 Talks and Panel Discussion
Speakers
Dr Enas Abd Elghafar, MSCA E4F Individual Fellow, Imperial College London 
Dr Enas Abd Elghafar holds an MSCA E4F (Energy for Future) Individual Fellowship at Imperial College London, funded and coordinated by Fundación Iberdrola España. The fellowship supports experienced researchers of any nationality to carry out research in renewable energy, energy storage and smart grids at leading European and American institutions. Enas' research spans renewable energy science, materials science, and advanced electronic and photovoltaic materials. Throughout their career, Enas has worked across several countries and research environments, including Spain, Egypt and the UK. Their international experience and interdisciplinary roles highlight how mobility, cultural exchange and inclusive practice can strengthen scientific innovation and expand opportunities for underrepresented researchers.
Dr Heather Au, Royal Society University Research Fellow, Imperial College London 
Dr Heather Au is a Royal Society University Research Fellow in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Imperial College London, where she leads research on sustainable materials for structural energy storage. Her work focuses on carbon nanomaterials, sodium ion battery anodes, and engineered carbon hosts for lithium sulfur batteries. Heather is committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM through engagement in the postdoctoral committee, the peer mentoring network and outreach activities. Heather supports collaborative and interdisciplinary research environments that value diverse perspectives.
Prof Nike Folayan, Visiting Professor, Queen Mary University 
Prof Nike Folayan is a Chartered Electronics Engineer and Technical Director at WSP, where she leads communications and control engineering across major transport projects in the UK and internationally. She is the co founder and Chair of the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers (AFBE UK), a national organisation that promotes diversity and supports the career development of engineers from underrepresented backgrounds. Nike is a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology and an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. She received an MBE for services to diversity in engineering. Her work combines technical leadership with sector wide efforts to improve representation in STEM.
Professor Jennifer Leigh, Reader in Creative Practices for Social Justice, University of Kent 
Prof Jennifer Leigh is an interdisciplinary researcher at the University of Kent whose work bridges chemistry, sociology and creative embodied methods. Jennifer developed the approach of Embodied Inquiry, which uses reflective and creative practices to explore equity and social justice in science and academia. Jennifer has contributed to national and international inclusion initiatives, including work as a co lead of the NADSN STEMM Action Group and contributions to sector reports on improving conditions for disabled researchers. Jennifer’s research focuses on marginalisation, ableism and inclusion in STEM. Contributions to advancing more equitable research cultures earned the Royal Society of Chemistry’s 2025 Inclusion and Diversity Prize.
International Women’s Day with WHEN: Grant Writing Taster and Networking Lunch
Date: Monday 9 March 2026
Time: 12 pm to 2:30 pm
Location: QMUL Peter Lading (Room 4.24) + Morgan Arms, 404 Bancroft Road, London E1 4DH
Registration: Register for International Women’s Day with WHEN: Grant Writing Taster and Networking Lunch
To celebrate International Women’s Day, the Women in Higher Education Network invites you to a special event combining a practical workshop and networking opportunity.
Programme
12 pm to 1 pm – Grant Writing Taster Workshop
This interactive session is designed for early career women in academia who would like to strengthen their confidence in applying for funding.
The workshop will feature practical tips and insights from Dr Jasmina Bolfek-Radovani, Advance HE Aurora programme alumna, followed by an open question and answer discussion.
1 pm to 2:30 pm – Networking Lunch at The Morgan Arms
Following the workshop, participants are invited to continue the conversation over lunch. Please note that lunch places are limited to 15 and require a separate lunch ticket.
We hope you will join us to celebrate International Women’s Day, connect with colleagues and take practical steps forward in your professional development.
Rise Up: Women in Business and Finance
Date: Wednesday 11 March 2026
Time: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm
Location: Peston Lecture Theatre, Graduate Centre, Mile End Campus
Registration: Register for Rise Up: Women in Business and Finance
An outreach event bringing together academics, students and industry professionals to inspire young women from Years 10 to 12 to explore careers in business and finance.
Hosted by the School of Business & Management and the School of Economics and Finance, the event offers participants a taste of university study alongside insights from women working and studying in these fields.
The session includes academic taster activities, panel discussions and opportunities to connect with role models in a supportive and inclusive environment. Open to young women from Years 10 to 12.
Speakers include:
Dr Lisa Diane Morrison SFHEA
Dr Lilian Schofield
Dr Eileen Tipoe
Alumni and current students from the Schools of Business & Management and Economics and Finance.
QMUL Hackathon: Celebrating International Women’s Day
Date: Tuesday 10 March and Wednesday 11 March 2026
Location: School of Mathematical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS, UK
Registration: Book a place for the QMUL Hackathon
This in person hackathon is open to women and non-binary undergraduate and MSc students in the School of Mathematical Sciences and the School of Electronic Engineering and Computer Science.
Participants will work in small groups to tackle mathematical and computational challenges in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Participants will select one of the following projects to work on during the hackathon:
- Optimal Country Relocation Model
- Wikipedia Clickstream and ChatGPT Topic Trends
- AI Bias Auditor
- Representation of Women in Knowledge Sources
- Titanic Survival Prediction
- TripAdvisor Sentiment Classifier
- Football Match Outcome Predictor
- Your Own Project Proposal
Lead contacts:
Catherine Elizabeth Rust
Ivelina Mladenova
Madhumitha Krishnakumar
Silvia Liverani
Zumba with Stefania at qMotion
Date: Thursday 12 March 2026
Time: 1 pm to 2 pm
Location: Qmotion Sport and Fitness Centre, 15 Bancroft Road, London E1 4FZ
Registration: Register for Zumba with Stefania
Celebrate International Women’s Day with an energising Zumba session led by Stefania.
This joyful session will combine movement, music and community, creating space to connect, recharge and celebrate women in STEM and beyond. Participants of all fitness levels are welcome.
Come along to dance, build confidence and mark International Women’s Day together.
Yoga with Sabrina at qMotion
Date: Wednesday 25 March 2026
Time: 1 pm to 2 pm
Location: Qmotion Sport and Fitness Centre, 15 Bancroft Road, London E1 4FZ
Registration: Register for Yoga with Sabrina
Join for an restorative yoga session led by Sabrina.
This class focuses on renewal and lightness, offering space to release tension and recharge ahead of the Easter break. The session is open to all levels, from beginners to regular practitioners.
All are welcome to take part and prioritise wellbeing during Women’s History Month.
Threads of Liberation: Women’s Liberation in East London Past, Present and Future
Date: Wednesday 25 March 2026
Time: 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm
Location: Mile End Library, Mile End Road, London E1 4NS
Registration: Register for Threads of Liberation
Hosted by the Centre for Public Engagement at Queen Mary University of London, this event celebrates Women’s History Month by exploring women’s liberation in East London, past, present and future.
Queen Mary Archives and Tower Hamlets Archives will showcase materials from their collections, highlighting the women documented in their records and the lasting impact they have had on the fight for justice.
After presentations from the archive teams, participants will be invited to reflect on what liberation means to them through a creative Nakshi Kantha workshop. This traditional Bengali embroidery practice will be led by OITIJ JO Collective, an organisation dedicated to platforming British Bengali women.
This event offers an opportunity to connect with others interested in gender equity while learning about the work advancing women’s justice in East London.
The event is free and open to people of all genders.
International Women’s Day Cultural Fundraiser
Date: Sunday 29 March 2026
Time: 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm
Location: Garrod Building, Whitechapel Campus
Registration: Tickets available (£10)
Organised by Queen Mary Students' Union (Barts WIHSOC Women in Healthcare Society) in collaboration with KCL Women in Medicine
Barts WIHSOC and KCL Women in Medicine invite you to an International Women’s Day Cultural Fundraiser, bringing together students and communities to celebrate women in healthcare while raising funds for charity.
This formal event encourages attendees to wear cultural attire and take part in an evening of activities, food and performances in a welcoming and inclusive environment.
The programme includes:
- Dinner and refreshments
- Bake sale and chai stall
- Henna stall and cultural activities
- Treasure hunt and interactive elements
- Free goodie bags for attendees
50% of ticket sales, along with all proceeds from the bake sale and cultural stalls, will be donated to Maternal Aid Association, supporting maternal health initiatives.
This event offers an opportunity to celebrate culture, connect with others and contribute to a meaningful cause.
International Women in Mathematics Day
The QMUL Faculty of Science and Engineering will be marking International Women in Mathematics Day on 12th May 2026 with a panel discussion featuring women in academia at different career stages, from PhD researchers to Professors.
The session will provide an opportunity to hear insights into academic journeys, challenges and successes, while celebrating the contributions of women in mathematics.
Location: Seminar Room MB5.03
Day: 12th May 2026
Time: 11:00 am: Panel discussion
2:00 pm: Networking session
1:00 pm: Close
International Women in Mathematics Day is celebrated on 12th May, marking the birthday of Maryam Mirzakhani, the first woman to receive the Fields Medal.
Born in Iran, Mirzakhani made groundbreaking contributions to mathematics before her life was cut short at a young age. Her legacy continues to inspire women and underrepresented groups in mathematics worldwide.