SeedWISE is an enterprise programme born out of the success and demand for our flagship enterprise programme for women postdocs; RisingWISE. Specifically aimed at women DPhil researchers, we have taken the core RisingWISE aims and tailored the course for women at this important stage in their careers.

SeedWISE is tailored specifically for DPhil students who identify as women or non-binary and are working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

Women are being urged to pursue careers in STEM subjects, where they often excel, but face a huge disparity in achieving success and leadership roles.  SeedWISE has been developed to help address this challenge, bringing together women DPhil students from different STEM disciplines at the University of Oxford to meet with women working in industry and commerce, who face similar challenges. We work closely with industry to build mutual relationships, which aims to benefit women both working and studying in STEM roles.

SeedWISE is being run in partnership with IDEA.

PURPOSE, AIMS AND OBJECTIVES:

The programme’s purpose is to illuminate potential industrial and enterprise career routes for women DPhil researchers. These routes will include working in or with as part of a collaboration from an academic setting large scale industrial settings, SMEs and micro businesses.

The 7-week programme will be delivered using a blended learning method chosen to fit in with researchers’ busy lives but also allowing the crucial networking and space to provide peer support.

After an initial afternoon, the programme will revolve around 90 minute weekly clinic sessions exploring the online material interactively and developing yourself through action Learning.

The programme will include the following objectives:

• To increase awareness of the variety of industrial and enterprise careers
• To build self confidence in areas such as pitching, promoting and networking
• To give opportunities to learn from women working in a variety of settings
• To encourage an enterprising mindset irrespective of career destination
• To meet, network and encourage other DPhil students

SeedWISE begins on Monday 10th May and runs every Monday until the 28th June.

Please note that you will be enrolled on the course in its entirety, so will need to commit to all the sessions