International Women’s Day 2021 - "Celebrating Local Women in Leadership"

Three of Northern Irelands leading organisations came together on Saturday 6th March to celebrate this year’s International Women’s Day.

The Agri-Food and Biosciences Institute (AFBI), Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and Soroptimist International Northern Ireland (SINI) took part in a webinar to coincide with International Women’s Day this year held on Monday 8 March 2021.

The event was a celebration of renowned female scientist and business leaders from the local agri-food, biosciences and environmental sectors in Northern Ireland responsible for the delivery of world class projects with truly global impact.

The webinar entitled “Celebrating Local Women in Leadership” attracted over 100 attendees who listened to speakers including:
 

• Melanie Douglas - Kerrin (President, Soroptimist International NI)
• Dr Elizabeth Magowan (Director of Sustainable Agri-Food Sciences, AFBI)
• Professor Louise Cosby (Virology Branch, AFBI)
• Dr Lisa Black (Head of AFBI Crossnacreevy)
• Professor Sharon Huws (Institute for Global Food Security, QUB)
• Professor Niamh O‘Connell (Institute for Global Food Security, QUB)
• Josephine Kelly (Acting Chief Executive, AFBI)
• Joan Houston (AFBI Board Member and Member of the SINI Regional Executive)

The purpose of the virtual event was to give an overview of the important work that local women are involved in and how this work aligns with delivery of the UN Sustainability Goals and all the speakers are leaders within their respective organisations and society at large.

Soroptimist International NI is an organisation dedicated to helping women and girls achieve their individual and collective potential and the event also brings together AFBI and QUB who have a strategic alliance, with those presenting actively engaged in enabling the delivery of state of the art science to address the crucial challenges faced by agri-food at a local and global level.

To view a recording of the event please visit the AFBI YouTube Channel.

Notes to editors: 

AFBI is an arms-length body of DAERA delivering research and development, diagnostic and analytical testing, emergency response capability and expert scientific advice for DAERA and other government departments, public bodies and commercial companies in Northern Ireland, and further afield.

AFBI’s Vision is “Advancing the Local and Global Agri-Food Sectors Through Scientific Excellence”.

AFBI’s core areas:

• Leading improvements in the agri-food industry;
• Protecting animal, plant and human health;
• Enhancing the natural and marine environment.

All enquiries to AFBI Press Office afbi.press-office@afbini.gov.uk    

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