The University of Aberdeen will welcome a leading transgender actor, a renowned biologist and TV presenter, a campaigner for physical exercise and an art historian and broadcaster as it marks International Women's Day with a special conference on Friday March 8.
International Women's Day has been celebrated across the world since the early 1900s. Originally, its aim was to provide a forum for women to campaign for equality and women’s rights. Over time, it has evolved and now in March each year, thousands of events are held throughout the world to recognise the progress that has been made, to inspire women and to celebrate their achievements.
This sixth University conference aims to not only inspire women, but to raise the profile of issues that are central to career development for female colleagues at both a local and national level.
Speakers include Aberdeen-born Annie Wallace, the first ever transgender person cast to play a regular transgender character in a leading UK soap and Miranda Krestovnikoff, a biologist, resident wildlife expert on BBC One’s The One Show and a presenter specialising in natural history and archaeological programmes.
The Conference will also hear from Aimee Work, Chairperson of the Active Girls Committee, established to encourage and increase participation of girls and young women into sport and physical activity within Aberdeen and Kate Bryan, an art historian, curator and arts broadcaster widely known for the Sky Arts series Galleries on Demand which she wrote and presented.
The proceeds from the conference will be donated to the Aberdeen based ‘Active Girls Committee’.
The theme for this year is #BalanceforBetter and the speakers will address the call-to-action for driving gender balance across the world.
The University conference will coincide with thousands of events held throughout the world to celebrate International Womens’ Day 2019.
Caroline Inglis, University Secretary, who will open the conference, said: “I am delighted to welcome our conference speakers and delegates to this celebratory event. Our excellent speakers have achieved outstanding success in their respective fields and will undoubtedly inspire the next generation to balance our world for the better.”
The conference will take place from 8.45am to 1.15pm on Friday March 8 at King’s College Conference Centre, University of Aberdeen. Booking is essential, for more information and to book your ticket click here: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/events/conferences/iwd/