RisingWISE: empowering enterprising women

RisingWISE is an established Oxbridge network inspired by EnterpriseWISE: designed by women, for women and delivered entirely by women. The programme Directors are Dr Shima Barakat, University of Cambridge and Dr Anne Miller, University of Oxford (for bios please see the ‘programme aims and eligibility’ section).

 

 

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

You will be immersed in a three weekend programme of expert-level learning on research within the science and technology industry, tailored to develop your existing skills alongside mentoring and networking opportunities.

The programme brings together approximately 50 women over the three weekends to:

• Inspire and strengthen the Oxbridge WISE (Women in Science and Engineering) network;
• Improve early-careers researcher’s (ECR) knowledge and understanding of how research works within industry and showing where their skills could apply and explore the different approaches across the two sectors;
• Create a space for ECRs to meet other women who are already working within industry so that we can: break down barriers, encourage more women to take up internships and secondments within industry and/or work collaboratively on R&D;
• Offer mentoring and leadership skills development opportunities to women in industry; and
• Help all participants to enhance their confidence, learning techniques to apply these in their own working environments.

The weekends cover four broad themes:

Personal awareness and creativity – who am I and what are my values?
Creating change and becoming a high impact collaborator
Building my network, resources and toolkit
Celebrating success and developing my strategy/next steps

AFTER THE PROGRAMME:

We hope that you will continue to develop your relationships with your facilitators and mentors and form a supportive network with programme participants.

ELEGIBILITY

RisingWISE is tailored specifically for female early career researchers (in exceptional circumstances, PhD researchers will be accepted as well) who are working in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

COST

Once your place on the programme is confirmed, you will be asked to pay a £50 deposit. This will be returned to you at the end of the programme.

TESTIMONIALS 
“It’s very empowering to have a programme directed by women for women. It was a real confidence booster and has contributed to enhance my skills and provide me with new perspectives. I cannot recommend it highly enough.” (Martine Abboud, Oxford)

“It was a privilege to participate in this gathering of amazing and intelligent women and to be taught by world female experts in communication, entrepreneurship and mindfulness. It was a very inspirational experience that help us not only to grow as entrepreneurs but also to grow in all the other areas of our life.” (Meritxell Nus Chimeno, Cambridge)

“I am super grateful for this amazing opportunity to be part of the RisingWise program. It was absolutely remarkable experience of meeting other extraordinary people who are as energized as I am and who are driven to make this world a better place. I think the major value of this program is to bring together like minded people with the fire in their eyes. Of course, the training and the stimulating environment helped to promote great discussions. I loved the training sessions as well since they provided some interesting and refreshing ideas. I can’t thank enough the organisers, it is absolutely brilliant and I have been telling all my colleagues that they should attend if they can.” (Viktoryia Shautsova, Oxford)

“RisingWise has been a great opportunity for me. Not only professionally but also personally. RisingWise has enabled me to connect with others who are interested in the same area of research. As such, two of us have put forward a small grant proposal (to Cambridge-Africa) that got awarded last week. Without RisingWise that would not have been possible.” (Katharina Kessler, Cambridge)

“It was a great experience as it gave us the opportunity to support & guide but also meet incredible women both in academia & industry. Every weekend I left the workshop energised & motivated! I hope this pilot develops and gives the opportunity to other women to take part of this. It will help our community / network to grow. Then a meeting once a year with alumni would be a great way to reconnect & keep supporting each other.” (Eva Abdul-Malak, Siemens)

“I had a fantastic time and got to know many amazing female scientists through this workshop. There are so many possibilities in my life and this workshop opened a new door for me. I definitely recommend this program to my colleagues.” (Zhaojun Li, Cambridge)