The Roslin Institute shortlisted in WISE Awards

The Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh and its staff are among those on the shortlist for this year's WISE Awards in association with headline sponsors Bloomberg.

The WISE awards recognise individuals and organisations for their outstanding contribution to the representation of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

The Roslin Institute, which receives strategic funding from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, is shortlisted in the category WISE Employer Award (sponsored by Atkins), which recognises an employer who can demonstrate an increase in the retention and progression of women in scientific, technology, engineering or mathematical roles as a result of actions they have taken to enable women to achieve their potential.

This award follows recent shortlisting of The Roslin Institute in the Workingmums.co.uk Top Employer Awards as well as its recently being awarded the Athena SWAN silver award in recognition of the support it provides to women in STEMM and in improving equality across the workplace.

I am delighted that The Roslin Institute has been recognised in the WISE Awards shortlist as it really highlights the many schemes we have been implementing here at Easter Bush Campus to maximise Equality and Diversity in the workplace.

In addition to the Institute's place on the shortlist, Professor Jean Manson, Head of the Institute's Neurobiology Division was also shortlisted in the WISE Lifetime Achievement Award (sponsored by Halliburton). This award celebrates the achievements of a woman who has had a truly outstanding career in science, technology, engineering or mathematics and has inspired and supported other women to follow in her footsteps.

I am honoured to be shortlisted for this award in the company of Professor Dame Kay Davies and Loraine Martins MBE. My career in STEM has been extremely rewarding and if it can be of some inspiration to those just starting out then I am delighted.

It is a privilege to celebrate the achievements of all the heroes on this list. From school leavers to the lifetime contributions to research all these individuals represent inspirational role models for those who follow in their footsteps. I am delighted that the shortlist also recognises the vital contribution made by employers and other organisations to supporting women in STEM careers.

The winners will be announced on the evening of Thursday 13 November at the Grange Hotel Tower Bridge, London, where WISE is hosting a black tie gala dinner and awards ceremony with headline sponsors Bloomberg. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, patron of WISE, will present the awards, and the ceremony will be hosted by Alice Bhandhukravi, reporter and presenter with BBC London TV News. There is also a daytime programme on the same date at the Southbank Centre on the topic of 'The STEM workforce we want to build for the next 30 years.'

For more information about the WISE Awards, please go to www.wisecampaign.org.uk/news/2014/10/wise-awards-shortlist-highlights-heroes