Cheshire Science Corridor brings “huge opportunities” for more women to become “scientific leaders of the future".
Generating huge opportunities for women & scientific leaders
A business leader and scientist today said she hoped innovative projects like the Cheshire Science Corridor would generate “huge opportunities” for more women to become “scientific leaders of the future”.
Led by the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership(LEP) The Cheshire Science Corridor is well on the way towards becoming an internationally renowned science and technology cluster focused on life sciences, net zero, nuclear and high value manufacturing that is home to world-class businesses, research and talent.
Ahead of International Women’s Day, Dr Kath Mackay Director of Life Sciences for Bruntwood SciTech and Director of its Alderley Park campus- the UK’s largest single site life sciences campus said developments like the Cheshire Science Corridor would add to the increasing number of women taking up leadership roles within science and technology sector.
Dr Mackay, who is also a board member at Cheshire and Warrington LEP and chairs its Employers’ Skills and Education Board said: “Projects like the Cheshire Science Corridor are going to be generating huge opportunities for scientific leaders of the future, who are women.
"And having that critical mass of scientific infrastructure and organisations makes it a very attractive destination.”
The Cheshire Science Corridor links together national and international research facilities and science-based businesses, providing opportunities for collaboration and innovation. Chester Zoo is the latest organisation to join.
Dr Mackay also spoke of her wish to champion underrepresented groups in the life sciences sector and attract more female talent to the area through her work chairing the Employer Skills and Education Board.
“It's so important to have those visible representatives and leaders in the industry because I just think you need to be able to see people like you who've done it.”
She added: “I feel passionate about championing underrepresented groups in the sector and through the Employer Skills and Education Board we’re able to understand which learners are and aren't taking specific career routes.
“It gives us the ability to hold a mirror up to what's happening in the region and allows us to work with local stakeholders to rectify any problems that we find.”
With Employer Skills and Education Board data, she found that “there are sadly still issues with females pursuing careers in digital and technology” and the LEP were using such analysis to shape programmes and initiatives to address the gaps including The Pledge which, funded by ESIF (European Structural and Investment Funds), allows young people to explore different careers and industries in the region.
Dr Mackay’s comments comes as the Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership family, including the Growth Hub, Marketing Cheshire and The Pledge confirmed it will run a social media campaign on International Women’s Day celebrating inspirational local women in business and leaders in the public and private sectors.