Global Women’s Breakfast 2025: a celebration of equity in science

On Tuesday 11 February, the Canterbury Branch of NZIC, in collaboration with the MacDiarmid Institute, proudly hosted a Global Women’s Breakfast (GWB) at Te Pae, Christchurch Convention Centre. This inspiring event brought together nearly 50 attendees, fostering meaningful discussions on equity and inclusion in science.

We were particularly fortunate to host this event alongside the AMN11 conference, further enhancing engagement with the scientific community. Additionally, the breakfast aligned with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science, reinforcing the global commitment to advancing gender equity in STEM fields.

Professor Richard Hartshorn briefly introduced the history of the GWB before the introductory video was played. Our distinguished guest speaker, Professor Frédérique Vanholsbeeck from the University of Auckland, then delivered an insightful address on the theme of "Accelerating equity in science." She highlighted key challenges and opportunities for achieving greater diversity and inclusion in scientific disciplines.

Following her address, attendees participated in an engaging networking session, during which they were encouraged to step out of their comfort zones by initiating conversations with new acquaintances before connecting with familiar colleagues. This approach fostered a dynamic exchange of perspectives and experiences.

The event was a resounding success, providing a platform for meaningful dialogue and strengthening connections within the scientific community. We extend our sincere gratitude to the MacDiarmid Institute for their generous co-funding and administrative support, which were instrumental in making this event possible. The event organisers were Sarah Masters (Canterbury), Anna Garden (Otago) and Jaye Barclay (Wellington).