2026 Conference Speakers and Panellists

Biography
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Biography
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Biography
Athene carried out her first and second degrees at the University of Cambridge in physics, before spending four years at Cornell University in the USA as a post-doc. Thereafter she returned to Cambridge, where she has been ever since, becoming a Professor in 1998 and an FRS in 1999. Her research field is soft matter and biological physics, with a particular emphasis on different types of microscopy. She retired from the University in 2020. From 2010-14 she was the University’s first Gender Equality Champion and she writes regularly (on her own blog and in mainstream media) about gender issues. Her book, Not Just for the Boys: Why we need more women in science, was published by OUP in 2023. In 2010 she was appointed a DBE for services to Physics and from 2014-24 she was Master of Churchill College. She currently chairs the Science Advisory Council for the Department for Education and serves on a number of committees for the Royal Society.

Biography
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Biography
She began her career as a Geologist studying first at the Royal School of Mines at Imperial College then at UCL where she specialised in Remote Sensing and Geographic information. She has worked for private companies as an Earth Observation Consultant working on a wide variety of projects providing both technical skills and project management and as a civil servant for central government before starting her own company following the birth of her two children. She sold her company in 2019 (just before the arrival of Covid!) before working as a GDPR compliance officer for a charity before joining the Trust, initially as our Research Technical Professional Fellowship lead before moving to the Strategic Project Lead role in late 2024. Among other things, she produced and managed the 2025 former fellows survey and subsequent data analysis and co-wrote the 2026 impact report. She leads on the Trusts data management and analysis and continues to support the RTP fellowships. She also works with the engagement team particularly on outreach projects.

Biography
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Biography
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Biography
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Biography
Katie became Chief Executive of the Trust in 2011, having previously been Trust Manager.  She is a physicist with a background in science communication and holds a degree and PhD in Physics from the University of Surrey, where she worked with Professor Daphne Jackson.

Under her leadership, the Trust has become the UK’s leading organisation dedicated to realising the potential of returners to research careers after a career break of two years or more taken for a family, caring or health reason. She manages the Trust’s activities, working closely with Trustees and developing strategic relationships with stakeholders. Katie sits on a number of national forums focusing on equality, diversity and inclusion. In 2022, Katie was awarded an honorary degree by the University of Surrey in recognition of her unwavering commitment to securing the legacy of Daphne’s vision. In 2023, the Trust’s outstanding contribution to the culture of science and research was recognised via the Royal Society’s Research Culture Award. In 2024, the Trust celebrated its 500^th Fellowship.

Biography
A scientist by training, Vivienne hosts medical programmes for BBC Radio 4, writes widely on health, presents films, facilitates many high level conferences and debates and trains young researchers. She also has a part-time role as head of engagement at Genomics England which delivered the 100,000 Genomes Project. She was a founding board member of UK Research & Innovation (UKRI) which is responsible for the UK’s £8billion research and innovation strategy.

Biography
Jane is the Executive Director of AIRTO – the Association of Innovation, Research and Technology Organisations – fulfilling this role at the National Physical Laboratory since 2011, and since 2021, at the Net Zero Technology Centre.

Jane is a life science graduate from the University of Reading, with a PhD in animal physiology. She began her working life at the Institute for Animal Health, and held a range of management and leadership roles at King’s College London, within the health schools and the university’s research commercialisation division, King’s Business Ltd., where she was Director of Business Development.

With three grown-up sons, Jane knows the joys and challenges of balancing a career in science and innovation with caring responsibilities. Her strengths lie in her ability to build partnerships with others, and in her logical and analytical approach to decision-making. She is passionate about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the science and innovation arena. Coming from a working-class background, and being the first from her family to go to university, Jane values the potential of education and STEM career opportunities to tackle social inequalities.