Women in mathematics

As a department, we are strongly committed to equality and diversity, and the success of our female mathematicians, be they staff or students.

We hold a bronze Athena SWAN award, demonstrating our commitment in this area, and showing the way forwards to a more diverse future.

Mathematics and its applications have never been more important to society, nor has the diversity of places of work and study. At The University of Manchester, we pride ourselves on the diversity of our student population, where we have consistently ranked above the national averages in the gender diversity of our undergraduate, master's and research postgraduate students in mathematics.

Our mentoring scheme supports women and minority gender students throughout their studies.

We are constantly striving to improve the mix within our staff and student communities, where it has been consistently shown that diverse workplaces are happier and more productive.

Meet our doctoral researchers

Jasmine Hewitt

I research a branch of algebra called representation theory. I’d like to show the next generation that mathematics is for them.

Read more about Jasmine

My name is Jasmine and I am a current Pure Mathematics PhD student with my research area lying in a branch of algebra called representation theory. I also completed my undergraduate degree at Manchester and decided not to leave!

As a woman in mathematics, I often feel that I have to work harder just to earn my place amongst my male peers. However, in the community of PhD students, they have not made me question my place once just because I am simply a woman and this is mainly why I love it here.

After my PhD, I plan on pursuing a career in academia. In addition, I would like to run female focused outreach events with high schools in order to show the next generation that mathematics is for them and not just men.
Fadilah Ilahi

I develop statistical models for dengue disease in response to the public health crisis. I’m determined to ensure the expertise I gain becomes a force for good.

Read more about Fadilah

My PhD in Statistics and work with the Math-EPI research group are a direct response to the public health crisis of the annual dengue endemic in my home country, Indonesia. My project has two main goals: constructing multi-strain models for diseases that involve multiple serotypes such as dengue and COVID-19, and developing statistical models for dengue disease to provide the Indonesian government with research-based recommendations for outbreak control.

For me, being a woman in mathematics means having the privilege to gain world-class knowledge and the responsibility to bring it home. I am determined to ensure the expertise I gain in Manchester becomes a force for good that turns complex disease dynamics problems through mathematical insights into effective public health solutions that reduce fatality rates and create a lasting impact especially for my country.