Anatomy & Neuroscience women stand together to strike the 'Inspires inclusion' heart shape pose for International Women's Day on March 8th 2024.

8 Mar 2024

Head of Department Professor Aideen Sullivan, stands centre in a heart shaped formation with women from the Department of Anatomy & Neuroscience as they strike the #InspireInclusion heart hand pose for International Women's Day on March 8th 2024.  

A very international group of 40 women working in the Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience gathered to mark International Womens Day 2024. The highly accomplished women included Neuroscience Professors, Senior Lecturers, College Lecturers, Senior Technical Officers, Senior Medical Demonstrators, Postdoctoral Researchers and Postgraduate Students. The 2024 campaign theme 'Inspire Inclusion' emphasizes the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society. 'When we truly value difference, inclusion comes from the heart.'

Professor Aideen Sullivan, Head of Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience, welcomed all staff to celebrate International Women’s Day, and commented;

‘It is an honour to work with this group of accomplished, inspiring and collaborative colleagues. We are fortunate to have a great number of females in our Department, including postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers, as well as technical, administrative and academic staff. It was a pleasure to gather together on International Women’s Day to celebrate our collective success.’

International Women's Day (IWD) is a global celebration of the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Each year, this day serves as a powerful reminder of the progress made towards gender equality and highlights the work that still needs to be done. In 2024, the campaign theme Inspire Inclusion emphasizes the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society.

The Department of Anatomy and Neuroscience has a number of research groups led by Women Principal Investigators incuding research groups led by Professor Aideen Sullivan, Professor Yvonne Nolan, Dr Louise Collins, Dr Olivia O'Leary, Dr Siobhain O'Mahony, Dr Maria Rodriguez Aburto, Dr Harriët Schellekens, Dr Jane English, Dr Rebecca Henry, Dr Mutahira Lone, and Dr Frederike Uhling. Some of these women PIs joined with their research groups to strike the #InspireInclusion heart hand pose for International Women's Day, see the below groups.

Photo: Principal Investigator Dr Jane English centre with her research group including Ms Katie Mill, Ms Aisling Noone, Dr Reghan Foley, Ms Zaineb Hamza and Dr Anna Golubeva.

Photo: Principal Investigator Dr Harriët Schellekens with her research group including Dr Frederike Uhling, Loreto Olavarria Ramirez PD APC, Nathan Carey RA, Cristina Cuesta Marti PhD, Louise Walsh Medical and Health Sciences 3^rd year student, Luiza Wasiewska PD APC, Eva Fahey Neuroscience 4^th year student, Alice Kellaghan RA, Colm O Riordan Neuroscience 4^th year student.

Photo: Principal Investigators Professor Aideen Sullivan and Dr Louise Collins centre with members of their research group including Dr Martina Mazzocchi, Ms Lauren Barrett, Ms Jolie Morisho, Ms Rebekah Bevans, Ms Joan Omosefe Osayande, Ms Rachel Roberts, and Ms Fionnuala Wilson.

After the event inspired by Dr Harriet Schellekens and organised by Ms Bereniece Riedewald, staff attending adjourned to the WGB cafe for a International Womens day coffee chat and catch up.

In 2024, the campaign theme Inspire Inclusion emphasizes the importance of diversity and empowerment in all aspects of society.

This year's campaign theme underscores the crucial role of inclusion in achieving gender equality. It calls for action to break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and create environments where all women are valued and respected. Inspire Inclusion encourages everyone to recognize the unique perspectives and contributions of women from all walks of life, including those from marginalized communities.

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News item and photographs Bereniece Riedewald