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“It made my day to be invited by a female colleague to support International Women’s Day and the inspiring work of feminist colleagues. As a historical geographer I’ve become so aware of the injustices meted out especially by imperial Britain, including how they differently affected formerly enslaved or colonised women and men and worked through an unequal class system. I've been working more to highlight these issues and combat misinformation about them through public engagement.”

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“Having joined the University of Sussex just fifteen months ago, I have been inspired by how active colleagues across this community are in creating space for women to develop confidence and visibility. One of these spaces, which I have had the privilege of joining, is the Women’s Leadership Academy. Beyond the valuable resources and practical guidance it provides, what I found most transformative was the creation of a safe and honest environment in which to share challenges. It was reassuring to realise that experiences often internalised as personal shortcomings — including imposter syndrome — are not individual failings, but patterns many women encounter in professional life.

What I carry forward from this experience is a sense of responsibility as much as gratitude. Insight and encouragement matter, but they are only the beginning. The real impact lies in continuing to show up for one another — sharing knowledge, opening doors, and making space at the table. As an early career woman myself, I know how decisive sustained encouragement can be. I hope to extend that support to those who are even earlier in their journeys, while also drawing strength from colleagues at Sussex and beyond, united in a shared commitment to creating spaces that nurture growth and confidence among women.”

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Carolina Toschi Maciel - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“Prioritising wellbeing is not a failure or a detour; it’s part of a sustainable research life. You don’t need encyclopaedic knowledge or constant productivity to belong in academia. Genuine curiosity, openness, and the courage to think differently are powerful strengths, especially in interdisciplinary work.”

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Catriona Osborn Moar - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“I am inspired by the possibility of turning science and engineering into technologies that truly help people. Through my work on magnetically controlled soft robotic drug delivery systems, I have learned that innovation comes from patience, curiosity, and courage to explore the unknown. I hope to encourage more women to pursue research, believe in their ideas, and support each other. With determination and compassion, we can create smarter, safer medical technologies and make a meaningful difference in the world.”

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“I learnt about serious negative experiences of women in STEM from friends and colleagues and when I started attending EDI events I realised they were mostly attended by women despite drawing from a subject where the majority of senior academics are men. Everyone should help make the field more diverse and nobody should be afraid of such efforts since science is not a zero sum game, we can all benefit from a more diverse workforce where diverse should be interpreted in the broadest possible sense. There has been progress in physics in the last few decades, the pipeline from PhD student to permanent faculty member is still long but not (in general) leaky, at least in terms of gender representation. Interview panels usually have gender diversity and everyone at Sussex on one has to have undertaken unconscious bias training. Of course there is still plenty to do, both in universities and society in general (as I see when reading my two young children books, they can still be very gender stereotyped). I try to do my part at Sussex University by being the EDI lead for my school (MPS) and Gender Equity lead for the new FoSEM Faculty.”

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Christian Byrnes - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“Women are essential in engineering to drive innovation, bring diverse perspectives, and address skills shortages. Increasing gender diversity improves team creativity, problem-solving, and ensures products are designed for everyone. Only 16.5% of engineers in the UK are women.  As a researcher in electronic engineering and as a mother, I always encourage my students and my daughter to have strength, increase resilience and keep preparing yourself for the important decisions you need to face in life to make your career flourish and to contribute with the best of you to the society.”

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Elizabeth Rendon Morales - IWD26 - Women at Susse

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“Never lose your creativity or the things that make you uniquely you. Break all the moulds. Be the smartest, the loudest, the most tenacious, the most resilient. Shatter that glass ceiling. Not everyone is going to like you, but you also don’t have to like them. You’re going to fail at something. The failure doesn’t matter but how you respond to it does. It sounds like I’m reading off motivational posters, but the sentiments to me are true.

Thank you to the many women and male allies I’ve had both in my academic career and personal life who were supportive mentors, colleagues and friends, who respected me, encouraged me and saw my potential. For all the celebrations and commiserations. To Dolly Parton and Marie Curie. To my family. I really love being a woman.”

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Deborah Sneddon - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“Historically, medical research has centred on men, leaving serious gaps in our understanding of women’s bodies and experiences. As a woman in science, I want to use my position to make care better for women, and to ensure our stories and symptoms are no longer treated as secondary.”

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“Find what is meaningful to you, and give it everything you’ve got.

Ignore the imposter syndrome. If you care about what you’re doing, you’re exactly where you should be. Research needs diversity in people, thought and experience.”

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Esme Stanford-Durkin - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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Dr Evgenia Anagnostopoulou and Dr Dan Creed

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Dr Evgenia Anagnostopoulou and Dr Dan Creed

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“When Dan Creed first reached out to collaborate, it was more than a genuine offer. It was an act of trust. At a time when I wasn't sure how to reach certain doors, he opened one. His support gave me space to grow and contribute with confidence. That’s what “Give to Gain” means to me: shared ground, not favours. Sometimes all it takes is one message, one idea shared, to begin something extraordinary.”

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Evgenia Anagnostopoulou and Daniel Creed - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“Women (inclusive definition) have had poor access to health care research and health care services for far too long. Women from underserved groups have intersecting disadvantages which further increase challenges to accessing services. We have established a regional Women's Health Research Network which seeks to connect women with lived experience, clinicians, commissioners of care and researchers to ensure that the needs of the most underserved women are the priorities of our researchers. We also champion women health researchers and provide a safe and supportive network with mentorship, presentation, and dissemination opportunities. Our key principles are those of co-production and collaboration. We believe that by working together we can ensure that our research successfully addresses the needs of some of the most underserved women in our region. Please come and join us in our interdisciplinary quest! ”

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Kiersten Simmons - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“My mother was a first-generation scholar, and loved reading, writing and research and inspired me to think about a PhD. This helped me see through the terrible career advice from school, and through the sexism, racism, homophobia and transphobia I have sometimes encountered. As a PGR, I was a single, queer parent and I wouldn’t have made it through this, or later stages, without support from everyone around me, especially my sister and my mother. Queer, TNB, feminist early career networks were really important for me, particularly in helping me understand that institutions can be reworked to enable transformation rather than the reproduction of the status quo. Create the networks you need if you can’t find them. I have been supported by senior women through peer action learning in my later career, and this has been a great help through very difficult times. I also recommend being both a mentee and a mentor.  Always apply for promotion - it is a good feedback opportunity even if you are not successful - and always offer and ask for help when you can.”

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Kate O'Riordan - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“Everyone should feel that they belong in science. In physics, we still have a lot of work to do to achieve genuine equity. Allyship is very important for speeding up that progress and we should all want to do our share of the work, in pursuit of a research culture that works better for everyone.

For anyone considering a career in science: if it's what you want to do, do it. As the astronomer Vera Rubin said, 'Don’t let anyone keep you down for silly reasons such as who you are.’”

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Laura Blackburn - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“Follow your dreams, but be patient; life can take its time. Do not give up, because your efforts and your presence matter.”

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Marianna Cerasuolo - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“This year rejoicing must go with resisting the forces that want to turn back the clock on women's rights - and the rights of all gender and sexual minorities and visionaries. Together we’re stronger!”

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Margaretta Jolly - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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Karrie Liu, Eisha Arif and Filippo Giannoni

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Karrie Liu, Eisha Arif and Filippo Giannoni

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“As a Doctoral researcher, I’ve learned that progress isn’t just about women supporting women — it’s also about the male allies who help create environments where we feel welcome and valued. This photo is about celebrating our hard work, our resilience, and the power of lifting each other up no matter who you are.”

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Maths PhD students - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“I work alongside a team of extraordinary women researchers, and it has been one of the most motivating and inspirational parts of my career. The directors have paved their own way and created space for other women to rise with them. Their encouragement and mentorship have opened doors I never thought was possible. I hope that one day I can be that same source of guidance and confidence for someone beginning their own journey.”

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"This journey hasn’t always been easy, but every challenge has shaped me and strengthened my confidence. Looking back, I’m proud of how far I’ve come — and truly, if I could do it, anyone can do it.

I hope my work not only contributes to my field but also inspires other women to pursue their ambitions boldly. I’m deeply grateful to those who believed in me along the way — but just as importantly, believe in yourself, even if nobody else does. Your determination, resilience, and voice matter more than you realise. Let’s continue lifting each other up and creating space for every woman to thrive."

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“I am extremely fortunate to work with a group of female colleagues at Sussex, who are talented, professional, respectful, committed, and truly inspirational. I am constantly stimulated by their work, friendship and rapport.

Although there are various challenges in the sector at this moment, I have always felt so much gratitude for the chance of being in this community.”

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“I believe men need to support women in science at every opportunity - far too often the burden of organising equality-driven events, committees and actions falls on women, who are already at a disadvantage. The time for us to step up and do our bit - even if it's just voicing our support - is now!”

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Peter Wijeratne - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“I've had three children since starting as a Research Fellow at Sussex in 2014, and I've worked on six different projects alongside. I'm now close to completing a Leverhulme Early Career Fellowship, which has been an incredible privilege. I would urge anyone of any gender who wants to build a family and a career in research to go for it and do it your way. A wise professor who was also a mother once said to me that she hadn't got to where she was in her career by doing all the things she was told to do. She followed her interests and took calculated risks. Her advice has served me well.”

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Rachael Durrant - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“When you don’t see yourself represented around you, don’t let it drain you. Go seek out spaces that inspire you, let those energise you to pave the way where representation is still lacking.”

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“My work has always been inspired by a great female researcher Marie Skłodowska-Curie who said ‘Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood’”

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Rodrigo Aviles-Espinosa - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“Through this work I have learned that results don’t come easily, you must keep fighting for your vision, and it can be hard – long hours, learning new skills, re-writing paragraphs, but don’t give up.

‘Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is to try just one more time’ Thomas Edison”

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Sarah Stephens - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“Building my lab during a decade that included two maternity leaves and a lockdown with two small children was tough, and I’m grateful for the support at Sussex that allowed me to grow through it. I’m proud that my daughters see their mother as a cognitive neuroscientist. I hope it shows them that women can be curious, analytical, creative - and confidently themselves in any field.”

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Sophie Forster - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“I am Valeria Terrones, a PhD candidate in Trade Economics. My journey in the field has been shaped by resilience, curiosity, and effort —and I am especially proud of how my time at University of Sussex and the Centre for Inclusive Trade Policy has strengthened my career path.

To every woman considering studying economics: you belong here. Don’t let stereotypes—or fear of maths, econometrics, career path—limit you. Progress is built through persistence, confidence, collaboration, and the courage to take up space. Seek mentors, support your peers and elevate each other. Remember that your opinions and ideas matter.

And to our community: real support means amplifying women’s voices, challenging bias when you see it, and actively sponsoring women’s advancement.

Celebrating women at Sussex is more than recognition—it’s a commitment to building a field rooted in equity, empathy, and opportunity. Together, we are shaping a more inclusive future for economics. Let’s keep encouraging more women economists to follow their dreams, break barriers, and shape the future of the field. The world needs more of us.”

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Valeria Terrones Rodriguez - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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“Embrace the majesty and beauty of Science and Mathematics and always remember to make time to enjoy your achievements and appreciate what you have learnt.”

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Vanessa Styles - IWD26 - Women at Sussex

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Dr Simon Bowes, Elisa Leimgruber, Paula Seidler, Nozi Abdul, Shakari Punnagar Selvan 

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Dr Simon Bowes, Elisa Leimgruber, Paula Seidler, Nozi Abdul, Shakari Punnagar Selvan 

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“In my academic career I have benefited greatly from the work of several women who were important figures in their fields. Most notably, Professor Margaret Boden here at Sussex, who, dissatisfied with the disciplinary strictures of her time, founded the School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences (COGS), the legacy of which remains, internationally and locally, and which I am privileged to be a part of. I can remember listening to her talk about dealing with male academics who didn’t take her seriously because she was a woman, which makes what she achieved even more remarkable, and important as an example to the generations of women academics who follow her.”

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Simon Bowes with PhD and Masters students - IWD26 - Women at Sussex