Women in Vision UK launches to unite women in vision and eye research

Dr Maryse Bailly reports on the successful launch of the Women in Vision UK event in December 2017.

Professor Sarah Coupland (University of Liverpool, ARVO Vice President) sharing a joke over coffee during the networking session at the Women in Vision UK Inaugural meeting

15 January 2018

Despite attacks on all sides from dysfunctional trains to various flu and cold bugs, 70 women made it to the 15th December inaugural meeting in London. The meeting was a great success, with a broad range of talks from women at different stage of their careers and showcasing different aspects of working in the field of vision and eye research.

We opened with an inspiring message from Professor Dame Sally Davies, and some hard facts on the inequalities still faced by women in the field of vision presented by Michele Acton, Chief Executive of Fight For Sight. This was followed by talks from women working in the field of vision, from basic scientists to clinicians and journal editors. The talks were insightful and inspiring, highlighting some of the barriers faced by women in their career but also showcasing unbeatable resilience and success, all with good humour.

Networking was great, with a unique opportunity for women from all over the UK, various fields of work and at different levels in their career to meet and discuss over sandwiches and mince pies. In the words of Professor Shahina Pardhan, one of the speakers at the event:

“The networking was really important. I met people and learnt new ideas of how to progress further and also how to help others who are starting out.”

We also had a very good interactive session to discuss what we want the network to be and how to get things started.

Dr Maryse Bailly and Professor Julie Daniels (UCL) introducing the Women in Vision UK Inaugural meeting

Michele Acton (Chief Executive Fight For Sight) welcoming Women in Vision UK with a sobering account of inequalities still facing women in science, and a commitment from Fight For Sight to support the network

Professor Christiana Ruhrberg (UCL) recalling key moments in her scientific career, and tips and advice gathered on the way

Appreciative audience at the Women in Vision UK Inaugural meeting

Question time at the business meeting: early career speakers Ms Meera Radia (Moorfields Eye Hospital), Dr Vivian Lee (UCL), Professor Sarah Coupland (University of Liverpool, ARVO Vice President), Prof Shahina Pardhan (Anglia Ruskin University) and Michelle Acton (CEO Fight For Sight)

Networking around lunch at the Women in Vision UK Inaugural meeting

2015-UCL “Inspiring Women in Ophthalmology” keynote Professor Veronica van Heyningen (OBE) enjoying the networking session

Ms Melanie Hingorani (Moorfields Eye Hospital, Royal College of Ophthalmology Senior Officer) on the ups and downs of making it as a clinical leader

Overall it was a great day for all and massive success for our network launch, with the next meeting already planned for the 14th December 2018 in Liverpool (organised by Sarah Coupland, Rachel Williams and Sophie Wuerger). Our budding network is already over 170 strong, with women from all over the UK and all aspects of vision.

Get involved

The inaugural meeting was only the beginning: we now need your input and help to get the network off the ground. Please check our website for a call for volunteers

Women in Vision UK website

@womeninvisionuk

To join the Women in Vision network and mailing list, email Maryse Bailly:

m.bailly@ucl.ac.uk

Media coverage

Main image

Professor Sarah Coupland (University of Liverpool, ARVO Vice President) sharing a joke over coffee during the networking session at the Women in Vision UK Inaugural meeting