Professional Groups

Women Physicists' Careers

Some of our members comment on their careers.

Averil Macdonald

After 10 years of teaching Physics in comprehensive schools I took a career break to look after my 2 daughters. Since then I have been fortunate to have a vast range of projects come my way. I have been promoting Physics in schools working with the Education Department of IoP to produce posters, brochures and careers leaflets. I have worked with QCA on the development of the Key Stage 3 scheme of work for science and looking at standards in Physics exams over time and across boards. I have also contributed to 15 school text books. In the meantime I have been teaching part-time at the Physics department of the University of Reading teaching on their Foundation Course. More recently I have been awarded a number of Public Awareness of Science grants by PPARC and EPSRC. Through these I have been able to produce web based resources that focus on the work going on in university Physics departments so that teachers have access to the latest ideas and research. For instance I go into local primary schools to talk to the parents of pupils about what their children are doing in school. The majority of the audience are mums. Often they tell me of the poor experience they had of science when at school and how little confidence they have of their own ability to help their children with science.

Averil was awarded the Institute of Physics Bragg Medal in 1999.

Gillian Gehring

I am a solid state theoretical physicist working mostly in the theory of magnetism.  I work rather closely with experiment and currently run an experimental project as well as theoretical ones. I have been a Professor at the University of Sheffield since 1989 and before that I was a lecturer in Oxford and a fellow of St Hugh’s College. I have been active in Women in Physics particularly in the last few years – after my daughters left school.  I have written articles for Physics world on Women’s issues and led the UK delegation to the IUPAP Conference.  I have been the Chairman of the Site Visits Committee and on the Diversity committee of the Institute of Physics.

Barbara Gallani

I am a Physics graduate from the University of Pavia in northern Italy, where I specialised in nuclear physics and its applications to medicine, working in particular on neutron scatter experiments for the cure of liver tumours.  I taught science at GCSE level and A level physics for some time before going back to university to complete a Master in Research in Advanced Instrumentation Systems at University College London, where I worked on the development of electron scattering detectors for applications in mammography.       I then worked at British Nuclear Fuels Laboratories, in the R&D Department, on radiation detectors for use in all UK Magnox power stations. The experience working for the nuclear industry allowed me to find a job in the Radiological Protection division of the Food Standards Agency where I was responsible for the assessment of gaseous and liquid discharges to the environment from nuclear establishments. While working at the Food Standards Agency I was given the opportunity to go on two separate secondments: a placement of six weeks at the Daily Telegraph, organised through the British Association for the Advancement of Science; and a placement of six month at the European Commission in Brussels working on the review of the current legislation on dioxins and PCBs in food and animal feed. I am now a food adviser at the The European Consumers' Organization, BEUC.

Ruth Lynden-Bell

Ruth Lynden-Bell retired from a chair of Condensed Matter Simulation at Queen's University, Belfast in 2003 and has returned to Cambridge where she continues to do research in the University Chemical Laboratory. In Belfast she and Professor Michael Finnis founded a flourishing Atomistic Simulation Group within the School of Mathematics and Physics which attracted scientists from many different countries. Before going to Belfast in 1995 she held an academic position at New Hall and St John's Colleges and did research in the Theoretical Chemistry Sector of the Chemistry department. Her PhD work involved measuring NMR parameters of simple molecules using the first commercial instrument in the country. She spent 7 years at the University of Sussex where she held half a lectureship while her children were young.

Ruth was made a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2006.

Allyson Reed Director, Ventures and Licensing, QinetiQ

From academic through industrial researcher and general manager to entrepreneur, I am fortunate to have a varied career path – so far. With a background in physical sciences, which underpin so many of today’s markets, I found relevant roles in electronics and communications (Plessey), in novel medical and research instruments (Oxford Instruments) and in growing start-up businesses, firstly at CCLRC and now QinetiQ, Europe’s largest technology organisation, in markets as diverse as hotel multimedia, security, environmental protection and medical diagnostics. At this science/commerce interface, the demands of meeting market need are incredibly stimulating. For me, complementary interests are also vital. Active sport, a love of the outdoors and, just in case that rare commodity - spare time - beckons, a family provide essential counterbalance to the intensity of commercial life. A two-career family requires pretty serious flexibility, support and compromise from all concerned. Children add to the juggling, and of course the richness of experience and multitasking ability. There are no easy answers. In terms of lessons learned, I emphasise the importance of communications skills and confidence. I apply the ‘So what?’ test (at least mentally) increasingly frequently. On the vexed issue of equality, while there is great improvement, subtle issues persist and determination is essential. To help progress in a competitive world, I suggest focussing on solving important problems and seeking out the action that matters, networking purposefully and extensively,  being proactive,understanding the difference between leadership and management – and having a ‘just do it’ attitude.  Physical sciences provide a strong platform for many significant roles at the forefront of innovation and economic growth.

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