Leading astrophysicist Professor Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell was guest of honour at an event to mark International Women’s Day (IWD) at Strathclyde.
This year’s theme aims to forge a more inclusive world for women and Professor Bell Burnell, who is also an honorary graduate of Strathclyde, has decades of experience in addressing the barriers to women’s advancement in science.
She made one of the most significant scientific discoveries of the 20th century as a 24-year-old student in the 1960s when she discovered pulsars – a previously unidentified type of star – but was overlooked by the Nobel prize committee in favour of her male PhD supervisor.
Panel event
The eminent scientist took part in a panel event in the Dame Jocelyn Bell Burnell Wing at the University’s award-winning Learning & Teaching building, named in her honour after a consultation and vote by Strathclyde staff and students. A ceremony where Dame Jocelyn officially opened the Wing followed the event, which also celebrated the 60th anniversary of the conferral of University status to Strathclyde.
Dame Jocelyn said:
It’s a pleasure to be back in Glasgow, home to many strong women who have held families together through tough times, and forged paths in the workplace. May we remember with gratitude the women who helped us get here.
The conversation took place against a backdrop of a specially commissioned artwork with pictures and quotes from Dame Jocelyn throughout her career. The panellists discussed how women can be supported to navigate career challenges, particularly within traditionally male dominated sectors, including higher education, science and entrepreneurship.
Equitable world
Hosted by Professor Churnjeet Mahn, Deputy Associate Principal for Research & Knowledge Exchange, the panel also considered how we can transform systemic disadvantage against women to bring about a more equitable world. As well as Dame Jocelyn, Professor Mahn was joined by Dr Holly Butler, Head of Development, Dxcover, Meryl Levington, Director of Innovation and Industry Engagement at Strathclyde, Louise McKean, University Compliance Officer, Yu-Chu Doong, Student Union Vice-President Inclusion and Professor Jillian MacBryde, Associate Principal, Hunter Centre for Entrepreneurship.
Inspirational women
Dame Jocelyn is one of a trio of inspirational women to be recognised across the campus, with the former Architecture building now known as the Professor Mary Dunn Wing, in honour of Strathclyde’s first female professor and Head of Department, and the central outdoor events space named the Professor Jackie Kay Plaza, in honour of the celebrated poet, novelist and Strathclyde honorary graduate.
More than half a century after the Nobel snub, Dame Jocelyn was officially recognised for her achievement with a £2.3 million Special Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics but donated her winnings to create the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund to fund scholarships for under-represented groups.
In 2021 she was awarded the world’s oldest scientific prize, the Royal Society Copley Medal, and also donated the £25,000 gift to the fund. Dame Jocelyn, who was the first woman president of the Royal Society of Edinburgh and of the Institute of Physics, was also instrumental in establishing the Athena SWAN initiative, bringing equity and diversity principles to the forefront at universities across the UK.
Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Vice-Chancellor and Principal of the University said: “As we celebrate International Women’s Day and the 60th anniversary of Strathclyde gaining University status, we’re proud to host Dame Jocelyn for this special event and to officially open the Wing named in her honour.
Dame Jocelyn is a remarkable role model and inspiration for female scientists around the world, not only due to her massive contribution to the male dominated field of astrophysics at the time of her earlier research work, but also her dedication to helping underrepresented groups follow in her footsteps. She is a wonderful example of this year’s International Women’s Day theme to ‘Inspire Inclusion’ – something which we are also committed to at Strathclyde.
The Learning & Teaching Building was created through the refurbishment and integration of two existing buildings – the Colville Building and the Category B-listed Architecture Building. Completed in April 2021, the building forms part of the University’s wider £1 billion campus investment.