Dr Laura Blackburn speaking at the opening of the exhibition. Co-curator Dr Elizabeth Rendon-Morales is seated on her right.
Elisa Leimgruber, Shakari Punnagar Selvan, Dr Simon Bowes, Paula Seidler and Nozi Abdul.
This year’s International Women’s Day (IWD) exhibition is open in the Library until the end of March. As part of our IWD 2026 celebrations, we are shining a spotlight on the incredible contributions of our Sussex researchers and their male allies. These talented individuals are pushing boundaries in their fields, advancing knowledge, and driving positive change.
The portraits are accompanied by summaries of the research they are working on and encouraging comments from women and men researchers to inspire our staff and students.
We hope that you will all go and visit to see the portraits and read the associated inspirational messages, but if you are not able to visit you can see the portraits on our Women at Sussex webpage, and read the messages on Padlet.
Everyone should feel that they belong in science
Dr Laura Blackburn, Research Fellow, Department of Physics and Astronomy and Sussex Centre for Quantum Technologies, who helped to curate the exhibition this year said: “Everyone should feel that they belong in science. In physics, we still have a lot of work to do to achieve genuine equity. Allyship is very important for speeding up that progress and we should all want to do our share of the work, in pursuit of a research culture that works better for everyone. For anyone considering a career in science: if it’s what you want to do, do it. As the astronomer Vera Rubin said, ‘Don’t let anyone keep you down for silly reasons such as who you are.’”
I want to use my position to make care better for women
Esme Morcom, PhD Student in Medicine at Brighton and Sussex Medical School said:
“Historically, medical research has centred on men, leaving serious gaps in our understanding of women’s bodies and experiences. As a woman in science, I want to use my position to make care better for women, and to ensure our stories and symptoms are no longer treated as secondary.”
Women can be confidently themselves in any field
Dr Sophie Forster, Reader in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience, School of Psychology said: “I’m proud that my daughters see their mother as a cognitive neuroscientist. I hope it shows them that women can be curious, analytical, creative - and confidently themselves in any field.”
Progress is built through persistence, confidence, collaboration and courage
Valeria Terrones Rodriguez, PhD Student in Trade Economics, School of Business, Management and Economics, said: “To every woman considering studying economics: you belong here. Don’t let stereotypes — or fear of maths, econometrics, career path — limit you. Progress is built through persistence, confidence, collaboration, and the courage to take up space. Seek mentors, support your peers and elevate each other. Remember that your opinions and ideas matter.”
Maggie Bowden was an example to generations of women academics following her
Dr Simon Bowes, a male ally who was photographed for the exhibition with Elisa Leimgruber, Paula Seidler, Nozi Abdul, and Shakari Punnagar Selvan (Lecturer, PhD and Masters students in Cognitive Science in the School of Engineering and Informatics), said: “In my academic career I have benefited greatly from the work of several women who were important figures in their fields. Most notably, Professor Margaret Boden here at Sussex, who, dissatisfied with the disciplinary strictures of her time, founded the School of Cognitive and Computing Sciences (COGS). I can remember listening to her talk about dealing with male academics who didn’t take her seriously because she was a woman, which makes what she achieved even more remarkable, and important as an example to the generations of women academics who follow her.”
As this is the third year we have celebrated IWD with an exhibition in the Library, a collection of pictures from previous years are also showcased in the Library. All contributions are now part of our University webpage, as we continue celebrating our talented women at Sussex.