Join the Women Microbiologists Network
The first Women Microbiologist Network session was held at Annual Conference 2025 as a member-led event hosted by Dr Enas Newire (Middlesex University, UK). The inaugural session, titled ‘Women Microbiologists in Academia: Challenges and Opportunities’ was well attended and received positive feedback from participants.
The session focused on the challenges and opportunities faced by women microbiologists in academia, across different career stages, and how these factors can impact and influence career progression. Women in academia, especially research microbiologists, often face pressures that contribute to the ‘leaky pipeline’ – the gradual loss of women at each academic and leadership career stage, from entry-level positions to senior roles.
Society members were invited to reflect on their experiences and share ideas on the leaky pipeline phenomenon in its broadest scope, and how it may relate to their own career journeys. Enas opened the session with a brief talk followed by several short activities in the form of group discussions, offering a chance to connect and learn from each other's experiences and successes.
Academic women microbiologists often follow non-linear career paths, so maintaining their own drivers and motivation can be important for long-term success. To explore how the Society might better support women microbiologists, Enas invited attendees to share their ideas and interests for establishing a Women Microbiologists Network via an online instant-response forum at the end of the session. The responses received exceeded the expected number of attendees, and further individual messages were received in the months following the session, indicating a need to build a network of support. This strong level of engagement aligned with Enas’s aim to establish a Microbiology Society, a member-led Women Microbiologists Network that offers a supportive and informative environment for women microbiologist researchers.
Building on the session's success and shared interests, a second session will take place at Annual Conference 2026 titled 'Women Microbiologists Network: wellbeing and professional development in academia'. The session will take place on Wednesday 15 April 2026, from 13:45–14:15.
Additionally, in response to strong interest in creating an ongoing space for discussion, collaboration and peer support, with the generous support of the Society, a Women Microbiologists Network Basecamp has been established. The hub will enable chat tools for exchanging ideas and setting up collaborations; it will also allow for scheduling regular online meetings throughout the year with network members. Regular online meetings, expected to take place monthly, will aim to provide a forum to address women microbiologists' wellbeing, professional development and more; they will also allow the invitation of online speakers to address issues of interest.
The Women Microbiologists Network aims to create a welcoming and collaborative space where members can share experiences, build professional connections and support one another throughout their careers. Society members interested in contributing to and benefiting from this growing community are encouraged to join the network and take part in its activities as it continues to develop.
To join the network, individuals must be members of the Microbiology Society. If you are interested, please fill out the sign-up form below, and a member of staff will invite you to join the Basecamp group.
