In which my palm is crossed with silver: Suffrage Science 2014

Inheritance doesn’t have to be genetic.

This past Thursday at London’s Dana Centre, I was one of this year’s recipients for Suffrage Science. For those of you unfamiliar with the scheme, it was launched in 2011 by the Medical Research Council Clinical Sciences Centre, and involves heirloom jewelry, originally designed by art students at Central St Martins College, passed down from one ‘generation’ of women to the next.

I received my brooch – a lovely domed magnifying glass set within a series of concentric silver rings – from the broadcaster and writer Georgina Ferry, who had received her from the biographer Brenda Maddox. Humbling provenance indeed. The event, compered by the incomparable Vivienne Parry, also featured a discussion about inspiring female scientists throughout history.

It was a family affair, although Richard spent a lot of the time chasing after Joshua, who has recently started to walk. I like to think he bonded with the other gentlemen likewise engaged (including the affable Dane who gently corrected the only phrase – tak for kaffe – I had picked up from watching too much Forbrydelsen).

(Credit for all photos, unless otherwise indicated, is Brona McVittie, © MRC Clinical Sciences Centre)

Here’s Georgina introducing me:

And here’s the handoff (in addition to the brooch, note the goody bag from L’Oreal, which had some superlative products inside, not least the subversive blue nail Yves St Laurent nail varnish!)

This is a picture I took of the brooch, but it doesn’t really do it justice:

Later I said a few words about my inspirational PhD supervisor, Julie Overbaugh – one of many stories told that evening of amazing women doing great things in the past and present.

And the final classy touch: the awarding of commemorative cufflinks to Richard and the other male childminders (none of whom, fittingly, were actually in the room at the time).

I am relieved that I have a whole two years to decide who should receive my brooch. There are so many wonderful women out there. Georgina is keen that we keep the writing theme going in our ‘branch’, and I think that’s a good idea. So watch this space.