Women of Influence
Our Women of Influence initiative champions women in cancer research. The mentorship scheme pairs exceptional scientists with leading businesswomen to provide early career researchers with support from outside of academia at a critical time in their development.
We recognise that a diverse research community with a variety of skills and perspectives is essential to delivering our mission to beat cancer sooner. But while women and men are roughly equal proportions of our research community at earlier career stages, we know that women may face more barriers when progressing to senior positions. This scheme supports our fellows and senior postdoctoral researchers in tackling some of these barriers, empowering them to become leaders.
Contact us
If you're interested in joining or supporting the Women of Influence programme, get in touch!
Our aims
We want to support our fellows and senior postdoctoral researchers to:
- become future leaders of cancer research
- be role models for future generations of women
- capitalise on insights from women outside academia who’ve faced similar challenges
- gain skills, experience and networking opportunities through our annual event
We aim to build and retain a strong network of our scientists across the UK to ensure more women in research reach the top of their careers.
Our approach
Many of the barriers women face in the research workplace are not unique to academia. By partnering with some of the UK’s leading business women, the scheme provides fellows and postdoctoral researchers with additional insight into the experience and wisdom of these women who have reached the top of their own fields – women who have faced similar challenges and decisions in a different environment.
Currently, mentoring is available to female fellows and Cancer Research UK-funded postdoctoral scientists who are aiming to transition to a group leader position. Our mentoring relationships are informal and flexible, and are shaped by the goals of each pair.
Calling for mentors
If you have substantial experience in a senior management or executive position, are based in the UK, and are looking for a way to give something back, we'd love to hear from you.
Since the scheme launched, its success has pushed us to expand the initiative to open it up to more of our researchers, and as a result, we are always looking for new mentors from diverse backgrounds and geographical locations across a range of professional sectors.
If you would like more information about the scheme and how to get involved, please contact:
I have thoroughly enjoyed being a mentor for the Women of Influence initiative. Aside from the fact that I am a huge supporter of women in science and of Cancer Research UK in particular, it’s been great to spend time with my mentees and learn more about the opportunities and challenges they are facing, and work on practical solutions together.
—Alice Choi, mentor
Benefits for mentors
- Contribute to our aim of beating cancer sooner by supporting and empowering women in research
- Be part of a community of women tackling barriers in the workplace
- Network with mentors and mentees at our annual meeting
- Gain a unique insight into the work of Cancer Research UK’s scientists
Benefits for mentees
- Get support and fresh perspectives from outside academia
- Be part of a community – join other researchers and mentors, plus the wider Cancer Research UK community
- Benefit from talks and skills workshops
- Network with our mentors and mentees at our annual meeting
Having somebody outside work to chat with and to get input from has really boosted my confidence and reignited my enthusiasm during these difficult times.
— Dr Katrin Ottersbach, Programme Foundation Awardee
More career development opportunities for researchers
We offer a range of fellowships, bursaries and other support to help outstanding scientists and clinicians develop their independent research careers.