For championing diversity in STEM and supporting ECRs to develop their careers.
Caroline Gauchotte-Lindsay
Caroline is a champion for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. In conjunction with playing a key role in the School of Engineering's Athena Swan activities, Caroline wrote a successful grant bid with Helen Mulvana (now at Strathclyde University) and others to the EPSRC Inclusion Matters call. The project, VisNET (Virtual in situ networking), aims to reinvent the rules of international collaborations and reduce gender differences in academic careers.
Within this, a cohort of 30+ female PDRAs were recruited and given bespoke training, peer-mentoring and development activities with a focus on building a professional network that will aid in our career development going forward. A particular highlight was the Collaboration event which linked the PDRAs with industry and academics at a two-day event in the Glasgow Women's library.
Two of the cohort members shared their experience of this support:
‘Personally, I have struggled with demonstrating self-confidence and leadership skills, the training I have received was superior to many workshops I have previously attended and really focused on the unique pressures faced by women in academia. Caroline has also highlighted EDI issues and in the process educated me, which has positively impacted how I approach EDI as an academic’
‘This has been extremely beneficial for my career development giving me the right tools and knowledge to help me navigate through a transitioning period from post-doc to PI on my own research fellowship. Furthermore, Caroline has always been available for help and advice outside of her role in the research program, contributing to creating a healthy and supportive collegial culture. She promotes equality and diversity in the college by concretely helping female early-career researchers to succeed, by sharing her experience and her network of collaborators.’
Caroline has also advocated for EDI externally and is a member of Tigers (The Inclusion Group for Equity in Research) in STEMM who are passionate about improving equality, diversity, inclusion & accessibility and aim to highlight issues in institutions as well as the government.