INSPIRING WOMEN : IT’S A (WO)MAN’S WORLD
7 March 2014
CONFERENCE AIMS
As part of the University of Aberdeen’s institutional commitment to developing and supporting our
diverse population of staff throughout their careers, Professor Neva Haites (Vice Principal for
Development and Equality & Diversity), hosted a Conference on 7 March 2014 to coincide with
International Women’s Day 2014.
The Conference was entitled “Inspiring Women : It’s a (Wo)man’s World”, and through a programme
of high profile speakers and invited guests, it aimed to provide delegates with the opportunity to take
an in-depth and thought-provoking look at issues which are central to career development for female
colleagues at a local, national and international level.
It was envisaged that through the participation of such high profile speakers, many of whom have
overcome barriers and challenges in their chosen fields, delegates would be inspired to identify how
they can put what they learned into practice in their studies, work and personal lives. In addition, a
key aim of the Conference was to share best practice at both a national and international level and to
identify initiatives and opportunities to further enhance the career development support the University
offers to women at all stages of their careers.
SPEAKERS
The following speakers contributed to the event :
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Judge A. Gail Prudenti – Chief Administrative Judge, New York State
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Professor L. Anne Glover - Chief Scientific Adviser to the European Commission
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Marie O’Hanlon and Susan Shaw – BP Aberdeen
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Professor H. Russel Botman - Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University,
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Professor Lesley Yellowlees - Vice-Principal and Head of the College of Science and
Engineering, University of Edinburgh,
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Honourable Lady Morag Wise – Scottish Supreme Court
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Dame Evelyn Glennie - international percussionist
Biographies of all speakers are attached as Appendix A.
Unfortunately, due to illness, Professor Lisa Jardine was unable to attend. Therefore, grateful thanks
were extended to Judge Prudenti for agreeing at short notice to deliver the keynote address.
LAUNCH OF POSTER EXHIBITION
The event also marked the launch of the University’s “Inspiring Women : Women’s Exhibition”, by
Professor L. Anne Glover. The exhibition seeks to showcase the achievements of female graduates
and staff and their contribution to society. The exhibition comprises 5 posters, each featuring a
woman with links to the University and who has achieved success and inspired others. The posters
range from showcasing the achievements of early pioneers (Dr Mary Esslemont and Dr Myra
MacKenzie) to more recent members of staff (Professor Anne Glover and Professor Neva Haites)
and graduates (Karen Darke).
In launching the Exhibition, Professor Glover contrasted the expectations of women in the 21 st
Century with those outlined in the Good Wife’s Guide, 1955 and concluded that the achievements of
the early pioneers, such as the women celebrated in the banners, had been remarkable. In addition,
she celebrated the achievements of their modern-day counterparts and anticipated that the Poster
Exhibition would go on to inspire a new generation of women to success in their chosen fields.
EXHIBITORS
Representatives from a number of local organisations were invited to attend the event as Exhibitors,
to showcase their work and highlight the wide range of support opportunities which are available
within the area. The following organisations were represented :
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NE Sensory Services
Stonewall Scotland
Aberdeen Muslim Women’s Association
Project SEARCH
Interfaith Scotland Frances Hume
Scottish Resource Centre for Women
AUSA Women’s Association
Immpact International/Soapbox Collaborative
Delegates were invited to view the exhibitions and meet the representatives during the coffee and
lunch breaks.
KEY TOPICS
The following key topics were addressed during the event :
The Power of Mentoring
“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and I remember. Involve me and I learn” – Benjamin Franklin.
Judge Prudenti highlighted that this fundamental principle is what lies at the very heart of any
mentoring relationship. She explained how mentoring is not only an important factor in business
success, but can have an even larger impact on the individuals involved – helping to shape their
career paths and sharpen their skills and communication abilities, while inspiring them to overcome
obstacles and develop their leadership potential. In addition, she highlighted that it is not only the
mentees who benefits. Being a mentor can be one of the most valuable and enjoyable experiences in
one’s life. Rewarded with pride, rejuvenation and the benefit of a new perspective, mentors will often
say that they get back more than they contribute.
Judge Prudenti outlined the support which her mentors had provided her with and which she believes
to have been fundamental in enabling her to maximise her full career potential. In addition, she made
reference to a number of mentoring programmes which have been implemented in organisations
across the world, including Microsoft, KPMG, Google and IBM. In addition, she explained the ethos
behind the mentoring system which has been implemented within the New York State Court system
and the benefits which staff have derived from it.
Judge Prudenti concluded that whether formal or informal, lengthy or brief, personal or professional,
any form of mentoring can yield rewards for all parties involved. In today’s world of uncertainty more
than ever, mentors offer some much-needed stability, and she expressed her firm belief that that this
ancient technique is bound to become a modern staple.
Women in Industry
Marie O’Hanlon and Susan Shaw outlined how BP has sought to attract, retain and motivate the best
talent within the oil industry through initiatives such as :
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BP UK STEM Engagement Programme, Enterprising Science (science education programme
with the Science Museum and King’s College London),
Project Enthuse at the National Science Learning Centre (with Department for Education and
the Wellcome Trust to provide bursaries for professional development training for teachers in
STEM subjects)
BP Educational Service (which develops and delivers quality teaching resources for STEM
teachers at both primary and secondary level).
They also outlined the support structures which have been implemented at BP to empower women to
secure leadership roles, particularly in relation to the Ambition Framework (which has the principles of
strategy, leadership, capability, culture and improvement) at its heart and the organisational values
(safety, respect, excellence, courage, one team). Susan and Marie described a number of
organisational goals to grow and develop female talent within BP, including having high-profile
credible female role models at every level, women in 30% of middle management roles at Operations
level and having women in 25% of executive leader positions and 30% of senior leader positions by
2020.
They also outlined a number of mentoring and sponsorship programmes which have been put in
place for women and the network groups which have been established within the company, at both a
local and international level.
Marie and Susan concluded with a lively presentation which outlined their career progression within a
traditionally male-dominated industry. In particular, they highlighted the importance of focus and
intent, moving out of comfort zones, finding an inspirational role model, “stepping up” to put
themselves forward and knowing and respecting their own boundaries as being critical factors in their
success.
Leadership in the International Context
“You strike a woman, you strike a rock” – Women’s March, 1956.
Professor Botman highlighted the efforts which had been made in Africa to seek and enhance the
empowerment of women, including the 1956 protest march against the “pass laws” of apartheid and
the Ecumenical Decade of Churches in Solidarity with Women (1989).
Professor Botman also described the transition from apartheid to democracy in South Africa following
the first non-racial elections in 1994, where a formal acknowledgement of equality between the sexes
and the recognition of women’s rights was reflected in the 1996 Constitution. He also highlighted
Nelson Mandela’s commitment to improving the status of women in South Africa.
Professor Botman reflected upon the progress which had been made in attracting more female
students, staff and managers at South African Universities to date. However, he highlighted that, in
common with the rest of the world, African women are not represented at the highest levels of
management. He described an initiative which is currently underway at Stellenbosch University to
seek to address this issue - the Gender Equality Advancement Programme (GAP) – which has made
a number of recommendations, including the development of a gender-sensitising communication
strategy, the creation of publication and research programmes for women to accommodate factors
like family responsibilities and urgent action to correct salary discrepancies and raise awareness of
the need to combat sexual harassment.
Professor Botman concluded by sharing a powerful account of his family’s background and how their
experiences had taught him that the most precious thing in life is knowledge, and that education is the
key to unlocking it. He also outlined his vision for the empowerment of women and his belief of the
importance of empowering all children through education.
The Leaking Pipeline
Professor Yellowlees described the ‘Leaky Pipeline’ in Scotland as being the situation whereby 27%
of female graduates in STEM subjects work in the sector they had qualified in, compared to 52% of
male graduates and where 73% of female graduates leave STEM to work in other sectors. She
highlighted that this is likely to result in a serious skills shortage, as it is anticipated that 58% of new
jobs in 2017 will require STEM skills.
She highlighted a large-scale research project which had been undertaken by the Royal Society of
Edinburgh into the ‘Leaky Pipeline’ and outlined the key findings that issues such as long working
hours, lack of support, unconscious or systemic bias, macho culture, family conditions, inflexible
funding structures and isolation had been contributory factors to women leaving a career in academia
in STEM subjects. She also outlined the key recommendations for Universities to reverse this trend
by implementing initiatives such as flexible work practices, management training, interview training,
childcare facilities and support/mentoring schemes for women.
Professor Yellowlees concluded by providing an entertaining account of her career progression and
demonstrated her passionate commitment to stemming the ‘Leaky Pipeline’ within STEM subjects.
Women in the Legal System
Lady Wise delivered an enlightening presentation outlining how the landscape has changed for
women in the legal profession over recent years. She highlighted the challenges which often faced
women in a historically male-dominated profession and cited various strategies which had been put in
place to support them.
In particular, she reflected upon her own personal career experiences, particularly in relation to role
models and mentors who had provided her with support. She also highlighted her own efforts to
support female colleagues so that she could personally ensure that women entering the legal
profession received support and guidance to enable them to fulfil their potential.
Personal Experiences & Reflections
Dame Evelyn Glennie opened her presentation by performing a snare drum solo of a work written by
an Icelandic composer. She delivered a mesmerising and entertaining account of her career as an
international musician, including her performance at the opening ceremony of the London Olympics,
and outlined how she had overcome a number of barriers which had faced her.
In addition, she highlighted thought-provoking examples of how women are perceived within the
music industry and beyond and provided an inspirational account of how her career had progressed
within an extremely competitive industry.
DELEGATES
The Conference Centre has a capacity of 250 delegates and within 72 hours of the Conference
booking facility opening, a waiting list had to be established. A number of high profile delegates
attended the event, including MSPs and senior members of staff from public and private sector
organisations across the Grampian region.
The feedback received from delegates was overwhelmingly positive :
That’s the best and most enjoyable meeting I have been to for a long time and I certainly learned a
huge amount! It was brilliant.
It was really good and the students who attended ask me to pass on their compliments too.
I really enjoyed the day, great to see so many switched on women of all ages enjoying top class
speakers.
I have over many years attended more all day symposia, scientific meetings, day courses, and similar
occasions than I care to count, but yesterday scored above them all. Never before have I been at one
where the very high standard of the first speaker was either matched or exceeded but each and every
subsequent one. And the choice of Evelyn Glennie as the finalist was a stroke of sheer genius.
The whole day was a triumph and I can only congratulate you and marvel at your achievement.
It was hugely encouraging to see so many people there and such an array of talented women too.
It was a credit to the University of Aberdeen to have both the quality and scope of speaker that you
arranged for us in a setting which was entirely appropriate for something as innovative and effective
as an " International Women`s Day Conference".
I think it was a tremendous success, the speakers were all well chosen and brought different aspects
to the fore and I enjoyed it thoroughly, as did everyone I spoke with.
OUTCOME
In view of the positive feedback received from delegates, both during and after the event, the
Conference succeeded in achieving its key aims and objectives. The Conference will leave a lasting
legacy at the University of Aberdeen and beyond in terms of raising the profile of issues which are
central to career development for female colleagues and in highlighting areas where the support
which is made available to them can be further enhanced.
Mrs Heather F Crabb
HR Adviser (Policy & Projects)
April 2014
APPENDIX A
SPEAKER BIOGRAPHIES
CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE JUDGE A. GAIL PRUDENTI
The Honorable A. Gail Prudenti was appointed Chief Administrative Judge of the Courts ofNew York
State effective December 1, 2011. As Chief Administrative Judge, she oversees the administration
and operation of the statewide court system, with a budget of over $2.7 billion, 3,600 State and locally
paid Judges and 15,000 non-judicial employees in over 350 court locations around the state.
Prior to her appointment as Chief Administrative Judge, she served as the Presiding Justice of the
Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department in New York State, the first woman to hold that
position. Before that, she was the first woman from Suffolk County to serve as an Associate Justice
of the Appellate Division for the Second Judicial Department. Prior to ascending to the Appellate
Division, Judge Prudenti was the Administrative Judge for the Tenth Judicial District (Suffolk County)
for almost three years. At the time of her appointment as a District Administrative Judge, in February
of 1999, Judge Prudenti was also the Surrogate of Suffolk County and was the first and only
Surrogate in New York to hold the position of a District Administrative Judge.
In August 2011, then-Presiding Justice Prudenti was designated to serve as a Judge of the Court of
Appeals for the hearing and determination of the appeal and any related motions in the case of Matter
of World Trade Center Bombing Litigation.
She earned her law degree from the University of Aberdeen, in Scotland, which also awarded her an
honorary Doctorate of Laws in 2004. She graduated from Marymount College with honors. Her legal
writings are extensive. Over 1,000 of Judge Prudenti’s decisions have been published and she has
contributed articles to many publications, such as “The New York Law Journal,” “Newsday,” “The
Suffolk Lawyer” and “The Jurist.” She has also published handbooks for guardians ad litem and has
written extensively on guardianship proceedings. Additionally, Judge Prudenti has been a frequent
lecturer throughout Suffolk County, Long Island, and the State, appearing at seminars and other
functions sponsored by the Suffolk Academy of Law, the New York State Bar Association, the New
York State Surrogate’s Association, the Office of Court Administration, the University of the State of
New York at Stony Brook, Touro Law Center, the Diocese of Rockville Centre, and the Roman
Catholic Diocese of Brooklyn, to name a few.
Judge Prudenti is an accomplished administrator and an experienced supervisor of largescale court
operations, including one of the busiest appellate courts in the United States. As Presiding Justice,
she served on the Judiciary’s primary decision-making body, the Administrative Board of the Courts,
which provides direction and establishes statewide policies and practices for New York State’s Unified
Court System. In her various leadership roles, the judge has developed innovative programs and
instituted many initiatives to enhance the administration of justice and promote the public’s trust and
confidence in the courts.
In her current role as Chief Administrative Judge, Judge Prudenti acts as the final authority on all
administrative actions and services in the New York State Unified Court System, is the sole appointive
authority for members of numerous statewide committees, and, in collaboration with the Presiding
Justices, determines the annual assignment of over 3,300 justices and judges in the trial courts of the
State of New York. She also serves as a member of the Oversight Board for Judiciary Civil Legal
Services Funds in New York, which grants annual awards totaling $25 million to legal services
providers to the indigent throughout New York State, and as a member of the New York City Advisory
Board for Administration for Children’s Services. She recently established the Annual Judicial
Excellence Awards to acknowledge two outstanding jurists for their extraordinary contributions to New
York’s judiciary and for their dedication and leadership in advancing the quality of justice.
PROFESSOR L. ANNE GLOVER
Professor Lesley Anne Glover CBE FRSE FASM is Professor of Molecular Biology at the University of
Aberdeen and Chief Scientific Adviser to the President, European Commission.
Professor Glover was educated at the High School of Dundee and the University of Edinburgh gaining
a first class Bachelor of Science honours degree in Biochemistry in 1978. She went on to study at
King's College, Cambridge for a Master of Philosophy degree in 1979 and a PhD 1981. From August
2006 to December 2011, she was the first ever Chief Scientific Adviser for Scotland, where her role
was to further enhance Scotland's reputation as a science nation.
Her role as Chief Scientific Adviser to the President, European Commission includes provision of
independent expert advice on any aspect of science, technology and innovation. She also acts as an
ambassador for European science, both promoting and communicating the benefits and values of
science in Europe.
In February 2013 she was assessed as the 19th most powerful woman in the United Kingdom by
Woman's Hour on BBC Radio 4.
MARIE O’HANLON
Marie O’Hanlon has worked for BP Exploration Company Limited for 24 years and is currently based
in Aberdeen as Discipline Capability Manager with responsibility for Subsurface staff in the North Sea,
including Norway. Marie grew up in Dublin, and, following her graduation in Physics from University
College Dublin, embarked upon a very successful career in the oil industry, which has spanned a
number of senior technical roles including Reservoir Engineer, Project Manager and Subsurface
Team Leader.
Marie has successfully combined significant achievements in her full-time career with a happy family
life, as mother to 2 children. She has played a leading role in supporting junior colleagues throughout
their careers by providing mentoring support and is proactive in becoming involved in initiatives
designed to ensure that BP continues to attract and retain women in a male-dominated environment.
SUSAN SHAW
Susan Shaw is a Process Engineer who has over 25 years of experience, and has been working in
the oil and gas industry for the majority of that time. She currently works for BP as the Process
Engineering Technical Authority (TA) and Deputy Engineering Authority (EA) for their North Sea
Region. Prior to this, Susan worked for BP in their Alaska Region in a variety of roles, including
Engineering Manager, Project Development Manager, Engineering Team Lead and Senior Staff
Engineer. Before joining BP, Susan was a process engineer for engineering design companies in
support of oil and gas production and refining systems. In addition, Susan also worked for several
years at a pharmaceutical plant, as a process and project engineer. Susan’s first job post-graduation
was as a facility engineer for Shell Oil at their refinery in Los Angeles, California.
She received a Chemical Engineering degree from Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri in
USA and is a registered Professional Engineer in the US.
PROFESSOR H. RUSSEL BOTMAN
Professor Hayman Russel Botman is Rector and Vice-Chancellor of Stellenbosch University (SU),
one of South Africa’s leading higher-education institutions. He was appointed in 2007, and
reappointed for a second term in 2012. He also serves as a Director of Higher Education South Africa,
a Vice-President of the Association of African Universities, and Chairperson of the Cape Town World
Design Capital 2014 Board.
He holds a PhD in Theology from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), and in 2013 received
the Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Theology and Public Life, awarded by Princeton
Theological Seminary. As a theologian, he has published widely on human rights, reconciliation,
human dignity, the Belhar Confession and social justice.
PROFESSOR LESLEY YELLOWLEES
Lesley Yellowlees completed both her BSc in Chemical Physics and her PhD in Inorganic
Electrochemistry at the University of Edinburgh. After completing research positions in Brisbane,
Australia and Glasgow she returned to an academic position in Edinburgh in 1986 and gained a
personal chair in Inorganic Electrochemistry in 2005. Her current research interests are inorganic
electrochemistry and spectroelectrochemistry, epr spectroscopy, synthesis and characterisation of
potential solar energy dyes, utilisation of CO 2, public engagement of science and promoting women in
science. Lesley completed five years as Head of the School of Chemistry at Edinburgh and Director
of EaStCHEM (the joint research school of the universities of Edinburgh and St Andrews) in 2010.
Currently she is Vice Principal and Head of the College of Science and Engineering at the University
of Edinburgh. Lesley has worked with the Royal Society of Chemistry for many years, chairing their
Science and Technology Board, sitting on the Publishing Board, working with the Scottish Education
section and chairing the editorial Board of Chemistry World. She became their first woman President
in July 2012. She was awarded an MBE in 2005 for services to science and was admitted as a
Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2012. Lesley is married to Peter and they have two
children, Sarah and Mark.
THE HONOURABLE LADY MORAG WISE
The Honourable Lady Wise (Morag Wise QC) was appointed a Senator of the College of Justice
(Judge of the Scottish Supreme Courts) in February 2013.
She graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Law from the University of Aberdeen in 1985 and
subsequently obtained a Masters Degree in Law from McGill University, Montreal. Lady Wise qualified
as a solicitor in 1989 and worked for Morton Fraser, solicitors in Edinburgh from 1989 to 1992, dealing
in general civil litigation. She called to the bar in 1993, working in civil litigation and specialising in
family law. In 2005 she became a QC. She was a member of the Disciplinary Tribunal of the Faculty
of Advocates from 2005 and between 2008 and 2013 she sat as a Temporary Judge in the Court of
Session. She was Chair of the Advocates Family Law Association from 2007 and also chaired the
Family Law Arbitration Group (Scotland) from its incipience in 2010 until her elevation to the bench.
DAME EVELYN GLENNIE
Dame Evelyn Glennie is the first person in musical history to successfully create and sustain a fulltime career as a solo percussionist. As one of the most eclectic and innovative musicians on the
scene today, she is constantly redefining the goals and expectations of percussion, and creating
performances of such vitality that they almost constitute a new type of performance.
Out of the 28 solo recordings made so far, Evelyn's first CD, Bartok's Sonata for two Pianos and
Percussion won her a Grammy in 1988. A further two Grammy nominations followed, one of which
she won for a collaboration with Bela Fleck. Evelyn's twelfth solo CD, Shadow Behind the Iron Sun,
was based on a radical improvisational concept and once again questioned people's expectations.
Evelyn also performs with orchestras on the Great Highland Bagpipes.
In July 2012 Evelyn was honoured to take a lead role in the Opening Ceremony of the London 2012
Olympic Opening Ceremony. In collaboration with Underworld, Evelyn led 1000 drummers for the
world premiere of 'And I will Kiss' and also premiered 'Caliban's Dream' on a newly developed
instrument called the ‘Glennie Aluphone’ accompanying the lighting of the flame.
The Evelyn Glennie brand is constantly exploring other areas of creativity such as writing to
presenting and appearing on a wide variety of television and radio programmes. Her unique stance
on SOUND was captured by the renowned film director Thomas Riedelsheimer in a film called "Touch
the Sound". Evelyn has used her influences as a solo percussionist to create a two ranges of
jewellery called "Percussion" and “Sound Colours”. More information can be found at
www.evelyn.co.uk
Evelyn is also in demand as an international motivational speaker and educationalist. She writes
extensively for media library music companies.
PROFESSOR NEVA HAITES
Neva Haites obtained a PhD in biochemistry at the University of Queensland and then moved to
Aberdeen where she did her medical degree and training. During her training she began to assist at
the Genetics Clinic and went on to expand that interest by having an MRC re-training fellowship in
Medical Genetics. Having had two daughters during that period she eventually went back to work full
time as a lecturer in Medical Genetics in the Department of Medicine and Therapeutics and Molecular
and Cell Biology. Since that time, the Department has expanded to include a DNA diagnostic
laboratory, a cytogenetics laboratory, a research laboratory and an expanding number of clinical
colleagues. She is currently Professor of Medical Genetics, an Honorary Consultant Clinical Genetics.
For 9 years she was Head of the College of Life Science and Medicine and is currently Vice Principal
for Development at the University of Aberdeen