A STRATHCLYDE University academic was one of just 78 women scientists to take part in the Homeward Bound 2018 leadership programme.

Dr Katherine Duncan, a Chancellor’s Fellow in the Strathclyde Institute of Pharmacy & Biomedical Science (SIPBS), has just completed a three-week sea voyage to Antarctica as part of the scheme.

The programme aims to build a collaboration of 1000 global women leaders with a scientific background.

Dr Duncan said: “The lack of women in science and in academic positions is a global issue – currently women hold only 28 per cent of academic positions.

"This leadership platform specifically designed for women scientists addresses this by building future global leaders to be the change.

“It has been a very intense and rewarding program, which has included global teleconferences, science theme collaborations, life coach sessions and leadership assessments.”

The education programme has five components delivered remotely over a year prior to the voyage - leadership development, strategic capability, personal visibility and science communication, science collaboration and reflective practice as a programme tool.

Once completed the women travelled to Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Argentina, for a three-day pre-voyage course before taking to the sea on the MV Ushuaia around Antarctic where they engage in an intensive 22-day leadership program.

As a marine scientist, focused on antibiotic drug discovery from our oceans, Dr Duncan is used to life on ships.

She said: “Perhaps the best part of on-board life was being disconnected from the internet and phone coverage, it allowed for a strong network of participants to be formed.

“This network provides a support system to sound ideas, share documents and establish collaborations.”

Strathclyde will also be represented in the next cohort following the selection of Dr Kirsty Robb to take part in Homeward Bound 2019.

Kirsty is a post-doctoral researcher in the same department as Dr Duncan.

Dr Robb said: “I think Homeward Bound is going to have a transformative effect on my career and open many more new doors in the future.

"I’m full of excitement and slight trepidation as I start my journey; however, I have an open mind and I’m very willing to learn.

"I’m looking forward to learning valuable leadership skills and excited to inspire future generations of scientists, particularly young women.”