A local anatomist and artist has created a new exhibition for Norwich Science Festival to champion the work by inspirational women at the UEA.
Through a series of portraits, artist Charlie James hopes to shine a spotlight on female STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine) role models around Norfolk.
He said he was motivated to create the artworks in an effort to show that gender should not be a barrier to pursuing a career in the STEMM industries.
He said: 'In an increasingly technological society, science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine have never been more important. From space exploration to social media, STEMM permeates many aspects of our lives.
'But the qualities that make you excel in STEMM aren't gendered. If you're inquisitive, curious and engaged you are suited to the industry.
'Underlying stereotypes of scientists as men in lab coats can affect someone's chances of getting a job.
'If an employer goes into an interview thinking they need to find the right man for the job that can work against women. Its important to challenge that stereotype.
'Hopefully highlighting role models will show young women that a career in STEMM is genuinely viable, the opportunities are there.'
Despite a drive in recent years to make the science and technology industry more accessible to all genders there is still a huge disparity between men and women.
According to research by the WISE campaign, in 2017 women made up 24% of the workforce across the STEMM industries.
Engineering had the lowest percent of female workers, with women making up just 11% of its workforce.
Although the numbers sound bleak, they represent a positive increase of 2% from the previous year.
Charlie said alongside inspiring young women to consider science careers, he wanted to showcase the incredible work being carried out in our region.
He said: 'Sometimes people look down on Norfolk as somewhere lacking in opportunities and don't realise how incredible the UEA Research Park is.
'So many great minds grew up in the area and have spent their whole career here.
'There's a huge amount of options right on our doorstep.'
Empowering: Norfolk Women in STEMM
Friday 19 October – Saturday 27 October
10am–4pm
The Forum, Gallery
Free, drop-in
All ages
Who Was John Innes?
The John Innes Centre has been in Norwich for over fifty years.
Find out how it started and hear about some of the fascinating plant and microbial research that happens there… and why its name is on your compost!
This talk, by James Piercy, will explore the development of the Centre and reveal how its work has led to major new developments including purple tomatoes, new antibiotics, and plants that can produce vaccines.
Saturday October 27
1.30pm–2.30pm
The Forum, Auditorium
Free, booking required
Age 12+
Food Evolution: The Movie
We live in a world of fake news, and it's getting harder to know what to think. How can citizens judge the safety and utility of new technologies? Genetic modification (GM) – a process in which useful genes are added to crops – has attracted controversy. The movie Food Evolution depicts communities, researchers and farmers grappling with different views surrounding use of GM methods for crop improvement. Introduced by Jonathan Jones, The Sainsbury Laboratory.
Saturday October 27
6.30pm–9pm
The Forum, Auditorium
Free, booking required
Age 8+
Kings, Emperors and Fairies
Wildlife of the Southern Ocean – Penguins
Venture to the Southern Ocean and you'll find all kinds of fascinating wildlife! Dive beneath the waves with UEA's Caroline Still and meet the kings, emperors and fairies that glide underwater on feathered wings. Yes, we're talking about everyone's favourite seabird… the penguin!
Caroline Still from the School of Education and Lifelong Learning at UEA works on expedition ships in Antarctica as a polar naturalist and will answer these, and other fascinating animal facts in this engaging, interactive talk.
Friday October 19
12pm–12.45pm
Sir Isaac Newton Sixth Form
Free, booking required
Age 11+
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here