To mark International Women’s Day 2026, Queen Mary's School of Engineering and Materials Science (SEMS) hosted a vibrant and inspiring event celebrating women in STEM and the power of community in overcoming systemic barriers.

Organised as part of the Royal Society of Chemistry's (RSC) Global Women’s Breakfast 2026, the morning brought together undergraduates, PhD researchers, PDRAs, professional services staff, and academics from across the faculty.

The event opened with a networking breakfast, where attendees connected across disciplines and career stages, setting the tone for an open and supportive discussion about equity, representation and the shared challenges faced by women in science and engineering.

This was followed by talks from four exceptional scientists and engineers, each offering deeply personal and thought‑provoking reflections on their research journeys:

• Prof Jennifer Leigh (University of Kent) working at the intersection of chemistry, sociology and creative embodied methods, introduced the concept of Embodied Inquiry through her pioneering approach to addressing inequity and social justice in academia
• Prof Nike Folayan MBE (WSP; Visiting Professor, SEMS and co‑founder and Chair of AFBE‑UK) spoke powerfully about the importance of representation and sustained community support in diversifying the engineering workforce
• Dr Heather Au (Royal Society URF, Imperial College London) highlighted how peer mentoring, supportive research cultures, and interdisciplinary collaboration can empower junior researchers toward innovation leadership
• Dr Enas Abd Abdelghafar (MSCA E4F Fellow, Imperial College London) drove us through her international research journey across Egypt, Spain and the UK, and how scientific mobility broadens perspectives and opportunities for underrepresented researchers

Coming from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and career paths, the speakers highlighted not only the breadth of scientific excellence across the sector but also the resilience, creativity, and community needed to thrive in STEM.

The event concluded with a renewed sense of community, solidarity, and momentum. Attendees shared reflections on building inclusive environments, supporting one another through the challenges of academic and engineering careers, and shaping a STEM culture where everyone can thrive.

A huge thank you to our speakers, attendees, and to the Royal Society of Chemistry for supporting this event through the Global Women’s Breakfast 2026 initiative. The morning was a powerful reminder that change in STEM comes from connection, visibility, and collective action—and that the S&E community at Queen Mary is committed to driving that change forward.