International Women's Day Spotlight - Department of Immunology QEII

Our International Women’s Day Spotlight continues featuring the Department of Immunology at QEII. Thank you to Sarah Brown for the response from the Department of Immunology, QEII.

In a world that is constantly changing, how have the roles and contributions of women in science or your profession or discipline evolved over the past few years?

I have only been in this role for just over a month, so I don’t have a large depth of knowledge regarding this. However, I was lucky enough to complete a 6-week placement within this lab for my degree last year, and I was in awe of all the really interesting projects that the women in this lab were completing. Especially post-pandemic, the importance of Pathology in both the diagnostic and research fields is at an all-time high.

Has there been a shift in career paths women choose today compared to the past few decades?

I think today there may be less pressure to choose a safe or ‘traditional’ career path, and more opportunity to work in a career you a truly passionate in. With the increased flexibility coming from working from home, maternity leave and the like, I feel like there is an increase of the proportion of women in every industry.

What networks have you found helpful for building a supportive community of women in your profession or discipline?

I am extremely lucky that in the lab I am working in, the vast majority of staff, from Technicians to Registrars, are women. Each of them are so friendly and supportive, even with all my questions.

What advice would you give someone who is just starting out in your profession or discipline?

Don’t be afraid to ask questions. In my role as a Technician, it has been a lot of information to learn at quite a fast pace, and if I didn’t ask as many questions as I have, I would definitely be very overwhelmed. Make conversation with the other lab staff in the tea room at lunch, as it really helps you connect with others and create a sense of community.

What message would you like to share with women around the world?

Truly celebrate yourself, the other amazing women in your life, and the women that came before us that fought so hard for us to have the opportunities we have today!