What happens when female scholars meet influential leaders?

On the 5 March 2026, our British Council Women in STEM Scholars had the privilege of sitting down with two excellent role models of industry and academia: Professor Dame Karen Holford, Chief Executive and Vice Chancellor of Cranfield University, and Professor Dame Helen Atkinson, Deputy Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences.

Hosted by the Student Funding Team, it was an inspiring session where the barriers between leadership and learning dissolved, allowing for an honest conversation about what it truly means to navigate a career in STEM today, work-life balance, building a support network and whether to dive straight into a PhD or gain industry experience first.

This event supported the next generation of female STEM leaders, and gave our scholars the opportunity to learn from real career journeys and gain valuable inspiration and guidance. 

Seeing our scholars, including those representing fields from Bioinformatics to Autonomous Vehicle Dynamics and Control, engaging with such high-calibre leaders, perfectly embodies the spirit of International Women’s Day. Meeting in the same week as we celebrate, sharing their experiences and asking questions, our scholars are not just learning—they are actively shaping the future of STEM.

Cranfield supports female students in STEM by offering these specific scholarships:

ASEAN-UK: Women in STEM Scholarships

The Knight Scholarship

Norman C.T. Liu Women in Aviation Scholarship