Supporting Outstanding Female Academics and Researchers
The SOFAR Network launched on International Women’s Day 2020, with 30 founding from members across 15 institutions (academia and industry). We are a multi-disciplinary network of women from BSc students to senior academics/directors coming together to support women navigate:
- Career trajectories
- Work-life balance and flexible work environments
- Re-entering academia/research following a break
- Building confidence and resilience
- Navigating promotion and positions of leadership
30 Founding Members
Dr Trudi Edginton
Founder/Director
City, University of London
Professor Gilly Forrester
Founder/Director
Birkbeck, University of London
Professor Sarah Garfinkel
University College London
Dr Sian Williams
BBC, Private Practice
Dr Deborah Husbands
University of Westminster
Dr Elisa Frasnelli
University of Trento
Professor Tracy Kivell
University of Kent
Dr Cara Courage
Tate Exchange
Dr Jo Van Herwegen
Institute of Education UCL
Dr Ilham Sebah
Royal Holloway
Dr Ute Liersch
Private Practice, Birkbeck University of London
Dr Katie Gilligan
University of Surrey
Dr Georgina Donati
University of Oxford
Dr Tara Zaksaite
University of Portsmouth
Dr Jessica Nielsen
City, Univ of London
Dr Brittney Chere
Centre for Brain & Cognitive Development
Dr Jenny Horwood
Pfizer
Dr Sarah Johns
University of Kent
Ava Green
City University of London
Professor Natasha Kirkham
Birkbeck, University of London
Dr Sarah Mackenzie Ross
Private Practice, UCL
Dr Johanna Jackson
Imperial, University of London
Karien Kitshoff
Birkbeck, University of London
Lizzie Smith
University of Sussex
Dr Michelle Newman
City, University of London
Professor Emily Farran
University of Surrey
Dr Ameline Bardo
MNHN, Paris
Professor Clare Press
Birkbeck, University of London
Dr Rachael Davis
Queen Mary College
Ellie Jackson
University College London
15 Institutions
Academia Patron:
Uta Frith
Uta is best known for her ground-breaking research on autism and dyslexia that has resulted in novel investigative approaches to how brains develop to acquire your unique cognitive abilities. She is an advocate for the advancement of women in science and has created opportunities to encourage women to network, share ideas and support each other. In true Me, Human spirit, she is passionate about science communication and public engagement and has presented documentaries, published a number of books and has over 34,000 Twitter followers.
Industry Patron:
Rachel Neaman
Rachel is a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She is a specialist in digital transformation with extensive senior leadership experience in government and industry. Rachel has many accomplishments of note – including becoming the Department of Health’s first Digital Leader was featured in Computer Weekly’s annual list of Most Influential Women in IT since 2016. She runs a consulting business and serves as non-executive director on multiple boards including DigitalHealth London.
