AstraZeneca is working with a Cambridge college to try and encourage more women into science and business leadership.
The pharmaceutical firm, which is in the process of moving its global headquarters to Cambridge, has agreed a strategic collaboration with Lucy Cavendish College. It is the latest partnership in AstraZeneca’s programme of inspiring and supporting careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and maths) through volunteering out-reach initiatives and mentoring across the Cambridge community.
As part of the agreement, AZ employees will mentor students from Lucy Cavendish, supporting their scientific projects as well as career and personal development. The mentors will provide advice and insights on career and work placement opportunities in the life sciences sector generally and in the biopharmaceutical industry specifically, including at AstraZeneca’s global hub in Cambridge.
Shaun Grady, vice president of global business development at AstraZeneca, said: “Mentoring is not only a fantastic way to support talented individuals who benefit from the shared expertise and experience, but it is also a great way for mentors to ‘give back’ while developing their leadership skills. We’re pleased to have mentored numerous entrepreneurs emerging from the Judge Business School Accelerate and Pitch@Palace programmes, and we recently announced a partnership supporting start-up companies at the Babraham Research Campus incubator.
"Our new collaboration with Lucy Cavendish College is a natural extension of our partnership network and offers a great model for how we might work with other colleges in Cambridge. It’s very exciting to be working with such a high calibre group of inspirational women studying in what is a uniquely supportive environment”.
A successful ‘speed mentoring’ pilot event has already taken place and a series of group as well as individual mentoring programmes are being planned. A lecture programme promoting Women in Science and Leadership will also be held during the year.
Jackie Ashley, president of Lucy Cavendish College, said: “Relatively few women embark on careers in science, and we want to ensure that there are as few barriers as possible for women who have the potential to be successful in this field.