Women Researchers welcome!

Writing

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Who is Emma?

Career coaching

UNIque guide for women OUT NOW!

Get your copy here

Dr Paola Rosati

'There are two fascinating reasons for reading this book. First, any woman who wish to embrace an academic career, guided by the easy-to-do path that this book offers, will find new ways to explore her personal willingness and opportunities. Second, this book is a brilliant tool for gathering any blossoming ideas and find out ways for making a personal career happen.'

(soon to be Dr) Rowena Seabrook

‘As a final year PhD student with several career changes already under my belt, this book was a blessing! Emma's wisdom and encouragement leap off the page thanks to her humour plus it is brilliantly informative and practical. I am working my way through it so I can chart my next steps and already know some postdocs I will send it to. I can hear Emma cheering us all on!’

Dr Sarah Robins-Hobden, CPsychol, MISCP Accred, FHEA

‘This book has been a long time coming and, for many, has arrived just in time. Emma’s groundbreaking and powerful UNIque programme set the stage for women researchers career development, and this book allows the ideas to go further and - rightly - reach more people. If you are a woman researcher (and even if you’re not) navigating the early career phase of your professional life, this book is written with you - yes, YOU - in mind.

As a researcher, you are knee-deep in experience, expertise, and strengths. The UNIque Guide for Women shows you a myriad of ways you can bend down and pick it up. You have more choices, more power, and more autonomy than you may realise.’

Dr Karen Hinxman

“If you are a woman in research and have ever wondered what’s next in your career, then this book is for you! Whether you are certain that you want to stay in academia, or ready to leave, or somewhere between these two points, the UNIque Guide for Women gives you amazing practical bite-sized advice that will help you excel in your own unique way. I guarantee that this is a book you will return to again and again throughout your career!”

Dr Anne Miller

“What a warm, wise and honest book this is- I felt just as if I was sitting in the room listening to Emma talking ( both enjoying our coffee with cakes, of course!). As usual Emma provides a wonderful balance of background information, evidence-based perspectives and thoughtful, well-honed tools, all seasoned with her trademark humour, humility and humanity.

I just wish I had had the UNIque book and methodology to work through many years ago- it would undoubtedly have accelerated my learning curve, and maybe given me the push I needed to challenge the institutional labels and move about more. But that is focussing on my weaknesses and as I now know, it is so much more powerful to harness the energy of my strengths and super powers!”

Dan Kowalski

“Emma knows how to navigate the Byzantine hallways of the ivory towers of academia (and even escaping them!), She does not hold back on any aspects and does not sugar coat them, which provides a solid basis for the reader to make an accurate assessment. She not only has been there, done that, and got the T-shirts, she tells you how to do it yourself. Besides all her brilliant advice, she offers stories from people she has personally helped to obtain their own UNIque result."

Lynn Thompson (thanks Mum)

“Wake up and smell Emma’s coffee! This down to earth book with touches of humour will inspire you. Emma always said when she was little “I’ll do it by my own”. She has. You can too! You only regret the things you didn’t do.”

Leaving Academia: ditch the blanket, take the skills

This short but powerful book is out now!

Should you stay or should you go? This boook will help you explore the itchy, scratchy, academic comfort blanket

Get your copy here

wide ranging Women

researcher

development

A map sign with a mortar board academic hat in blue next to purple words UNIque
UNIque women's development career boost

A 4 module blended learning programme designed to boost late stage PhD and postdoc women researchers into careers in academia and beyond. UNIque has been run at Imperial College, King’s College London, Queen Mary University of London, Queen’s University Belfast and University of Strathclyde.

SeedWISE University of Oxford

A career development programme for women DPhil students combining personal development whilst showcasing the some amazing women in the world of enterprise in academia and beyond. A mixture of face to face, online and asynchronous materials to get you ready for your next step. Working with MPLS Division. 

RisingWISE University of Cambridge & University of Oxford

Training facilitators and delivering leadership sessions for this Oxbridge dveloepment course for STEM women in industry and academia

Barriers to women engaging with mathematics

Researching the barriers and blockages stopping women choosing and progressing with mathematics at university. Undertaken at Imperial College, University College London and Univerity of Warwick.

Frequently Asked
Questions

Can I negotiate an academic salary?

Certainly! When offered a job following interview is the time to do it. Much harder to do once in post. 

The post probably is advertised with a band of salaries. They are unlikely to go beyond this. Explain what you bring above the ‘basic’ bottom rung – skills, experience level etc. 

Do I have to meet all the criteria for a job?

Job descriptions are written for angelic beings who don’t exist! Women, in general, worry more about this than men. My rule of thumb is if you have 60% you should definely investigate more. You are doing a pre-application phone call, aren’t you?

Do I wait to be asked about promotion?

No! If you are waiting for others to ‘notice’ your hard work, you might be there sometime.

Look at the criteria, get advice and talk to people. If people know you want it, they can help!

Is it ok to leave?

Always. You are in the driving seat of your career. No-one else is going to prioritise it.

So whether it’s leaving a postdoc contract for a bigger, better academic role or moving into another sector, the best time to move is when that amazing opportunity presents itself!

When is a good time to have a baby?

I’m asked this so often! And I still don’t have an answer to this most personal and indivudal of questions!

You are amazing. Super literate. Super numerate. Problem solving, project managing researcHER. The world needs more women like you! How can I help?

Career coaching info

Let’s Chat

Wondering if we could work together? Curious if I can help you or the women in your institution? Or looking for a chat over a coffee?

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