International Women's Day 2025 -Celebrating Sussex Early-Career Researchers by

Dr Bridget Kauma

2025-02-20 14:27:58 UTC

"The best part about rising to the challenges that present themselves in your career is the knowledge that there have been many women that have gone before you who have succeeded against even greater odds. These are the metaphoric giants that have inspired women the most and who provide the shoulders upon which you sit. These women blazed the trail you now follow and demonstrated that being a woman is not a constraint on what you can achieve in life."

Isobel Sexton

2025-02-20 17:04:10 UTC

"I was anxious to go from the world of hands-on conservation, which can be a very male-dominated industry, to research. I’m so pleased to have met many amazing women in my department, who have been nothing but supportive, inspiring, and fun! Daily, I work with volunteers across the UK who gain confidence in themselves and their abilities by stepping out of their comfort zone and trying something new – like our experiments! I am proud to have helped to create an environment that fosters this. There is nothing better than growing alongside other women!"

Dr Viviana Vella

2025-02-20 17:05:57 UTC

"Everyone should be able to realise their full potential without any limitations.

Success in science, as in life, should know no gender boundaries."

Dr Rebecca Dobson Phillips

2025-02-20 17:07:11 UTC

"We cannot succeed if we don’t risk failure, but female perfectionism inhibits our tolerance for risk. It seems to me that we can only break this stalemate with the support of other women: women willing to fail (and succeed) publicly; women willing to witness failure and see potential for success; women willing to model ways of being that do not conform to expectations of flawless perfection but instead cultivate spaces for female diversity, creativity and inspiration. We should all be willing to be those women."

Dr Alba Arias Alvarez

2025-02-20 17:09:01 UTC

"No tienes que ser la estudiante perfecta, ni la hija perfecta, ni la profesional perfecta. La perfección no es lo que te lleva al éxito ni a la felicidad, sino la aceptación de tus imperfecciones y el coraje de seguir adelante a pesar de ellas. Confía en ti misma, lo demás, a su manera, se irá acomodando."

Dr Cannelle Tassin de Montaigu

2025-02-24 10:21:54 UTC

"Women are proving that the impossible is achievable, and I see it every day with colleagues and with the young generation of women in ecology. Keep asking bold questions and striving for impactful discoveries—you’re making a real difference!"

Dr Yanpei Huang

2025-02-24 10:23:50 UTC

"As a woman early-career researcher, I am grateful for the opportunities to learn and grow in my field. I hope my work not only contributes to meaningful advancements but also inspires others to follow their own paths with confidence and determination."

Dr Marianna Iliadou

2025-02-24 11:38:15 UTC

"On International Women’s Day, I think about all the women that fought to make it possible for me to study, work, vote and live with autonomy. Now, more than ever, we should remain vigilant and advocate for women’s rights and inclusivity. Since my first day at Sussex, I have witnessed the inclusive environment my colleagues at the Law Department have created, and I have been very lucky to be surrounded by women colleagues who support and inspire me. I only hope I can do the same for our students."

Dr Olivia Taylor

2025-02-24 11:47:05 UTC

"Small comments of encouragement can make a big difference to someone. A simple comment from a schoolteacher has always stuck with me, and I now sometimes find myself saying it to my students: back yourself!"

Dr Grecia Garcia

2025-02-24 11:48:50 UTC

"I have a list in my desk that I have written as my research career has developed. It says ‘Courage, Discipline, Passion, Forgiveness.’ It reminds me to be courageous to try something new, to be disciplined to achieve it, to choose things I am passionate about and, when things don’t go as I expect them, to forgive myself and move on. I am sure my list will grow. But, what about you? What would you write in your list?"

Dr Riziki Millanzi

2025-02-24 12:29:29 UTC

"Every single step of my academic journey has been shaped by brilliant women, from my sixth-form English teacher who first introduced me to Toni Morrison's Beloved to the nuanced, powerful and diverse women in the comics, books and films that I research and love. I have been lucky to have three of the most inspiring and caring women as my supervisors here at Sussex, who have encouraged, challenged and championed me every step of the way, as well as the best mum and sister who have always been there for me as well. Maybe it is because I have been around such amazing women that my research is also filled with them as well. I lowkey feel that as I analyse the way that these women are represented as superheroes, powerful sorceresses and survivors within these texts, they are speculative representations of some of the most resilient and enduring traits of the women in the world around us."

Dr Saeideh Babashahi

2025-02-24 12:32:47 UTC

"We should never underestimate the power of women supporting one another. Yes, and this gives us pleasure and purpose and nurtures a positive and vibrant work research culture. Joining in 2021, I started my very first overseas career at the University of Sussex, being the first woman in my family to move overseas, complete a PhD overseas and commence a career overseas. Last year, I was awarded my first research grant from the Medical Research Foundation. I believe that having support and encouragement from my colleague and mentor, Professor Melanie Newport, was the stepping stone to achieving this success. I’d like to extend my sincere appreciation to women like her and celebrate their unwavering support and mentorship – I couldn’t make it happen without her support and encouragement."

Dr Estelle Marks

2025-02-24 12:37:15 UTC

"My mantra, a gift from my mentor: “I am a writer!”

Get yourself a mentor and a mantra. That’s my advice."

Dr Aline Amorim Graf

2025-02-24 12:38:19 UTC

"Being a woman studying and working in Physics does come with many challenges, but it is also exciting! Understanding how the world works at its many different levels, from subatomic particles to galaxy clusters, is fascinating. I have been fortunate enough throughout my career to have met some amazing women that have encouraged, supported and inspired me. This includes, but it is not limited to, my mum, my secondary school Maths teacher, colleagues during my PhD here at the University of Sussex and, more recently, as an Early Career Researcher, during my brief time working in the Engineering department. If I could give any advice to women in STEM, it would be don’t underestimate yourself!"

Dr May Nasrawy

2025-02-24 12:39:33 UTC

"A brave woman once said to me: ‘don’t go on a journey to find yourself, go on a journey to create yourself’… Today, while on this journey I say to other women: be kind to yourself for you are doing the best you can… love yourself for this is the only way you can love life and love others…don’t waste time waiting for things to happen, get out there and make it happen because this is where mistakes happen, where reflection, learning and success happen but most of all it’s where bravery happens… Every day, I remember the women who inspire me the most: my mum, my sisters, my friends and my colleagues, who remind me every day of the meaning of love, joy, care and sacrifice, who despite the complex and everchanging reality we live in, and the one they’ve lived in, continue giving, loving and inspiring. I want to thank them for they are my ongoing motivation, my constant inspiration and my everlasting celebration. To my colleagues at Sussex, from all genders and all walks of life, thank you for believing in me and supporting me despite your own struggles, perhaps not only but mostly as women… As an early career researcher, I constantly feel inspired to make positive changes, to continue a journey of searching, understanding, reflecting, learning, changing, collaborating and communicating but most of all, a journey of challenging assumptions, embracing uncertainty, building relationships and learning that sometimes we might not find answers or quick fixes to difficult questions… but asking these questions is the first step to understanding people’s lived experiences."

Dr Karis Jade Petty

2025-02-24 12:41:11 UTC

"If you are not a 'typical academic', don't try to be. Academia needs the voices of people who have been historically under-represented. It needs people who don't think in established boxes or linearly, but those who have many different interests and life experiences. Do not try to conform. Your uniqueness is exactly what is needed. Lastly: always find allies."

Dr Zainab Aizaz

2025-02-24 12:45:27 UTC

"It feels great to stand in this platform of women scientists @ Sussex. I am grateful to my parents who raised six daughters and taught them to have self-belief. Women may be underestimated but God has designed the brains of men and women with equal capabilities. Since women are held responsible to raise kids, I am grateful to my husband who has supported me in managing family and profession efficiently. To every woman I would like to say, believe that you can do it and work hard to the last minute of the day. Believe that the recipe to success is a mix of discipline, perseverance, and learning with a dash of confidence and you are ready to conquer the world."

Sunisha Neupane

2025-02-24 12:47:36 UTC

"I draw inspiration from the generations of women I am part of: my mother; grandmothers; their grandmothers; aunties; and my elder sisters and friends. These women, each in their own way, walked the often difficult path of reclaiming and exercising their power and agency in circumstances that were not always kind or equitable. Their courage, resistance, and hard work laid the foundation for me. As I often remind myself, they walked, sometimes barefoot, so that I could run. Another source of inspiration comes from the young women in remote mountainous Nepal, where I conducted my PhD fieldwork.

"All of these women, their strength and compassion, fuel me, and guide me. Especially as I prepare to become the first woman from both sides of my family to earn the title of doctor. Finishing my PhD this year is not just a personal milestone: It is a tribute to the perseverance and quiet victories of the remarkable women who shaped my journey.

"To other women, especially those navigating injustice and inequity in academia or their respective fields, I want to say this: you are not alone. Each of us carries the strength of the women before us. By walking our paths, we make the road wider and easier for those who follow. Take heart, every step you take is part of a larger celebration of collective progress and the boundless potential of women."

Dr Canan Cetin

2025-02-25 09:30:02 UTC

"If I can do it, so can you. As women, we often face the pressure to be strong, to do it all, and to meet societal expectations without question. But here's the truth: we don't always have to be strong. It is okay to feel vulnerable, to seek support, and to acknowledge that we are human. Strength isn't about carrying the weight alone, it's about resilience, and knowing when to ask for help, rest, or simply to step back. I understand the challenges of balancing personal responsibilities with professional ambitions, especially as a single mother, but I’ve learned that perseverance and self-compassion are key.

"A powerful sentiment that I hold close to my heart is: I have a right to my own happiness. I owe nothing to anyone. These words remind us that we are entitled to pursue our dreams, without apologizing or feeling indebted to anyone for our success. Sometimes, society expects us to fit into narrow roles, but we have the power to define our own paths. The journey may not always be easy, but it is incredibly rewarding.

"So, don't feel pressured to be perfect or to take on the world alone. You are deserving of every success, every opportunity, and every moment of joy. Embrace your journey, celebrate your accomplishments, and remember, just like me, you too have the strength to overcome whatever challenges come your way".

"And if you can’t handle it all, sitting in the middle of the complexity and crying for a while is human too!"

Dr Ulla McKnight

2025-02-25 09:31:09 UTC

"Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced."
— James Baldwin, No Name in the Street