By Dr Parini Mankad, School of Infection & Immunity Athena SWAN SAT Co-chair

This year’s theme for International Women's Day is #AccelerateAction. To accelerate equity for women we must have equitable representation in leadership.

Gender parity in leadership also enhances organisational performance, drives growth and innovation, fosters inclusive workplace cultures and breaks the cycle of gender-biased policies and processes.

However, data shows that women remain under-represented in academic and administrative leadership and decision-making positions in universities and research institutions across Europe.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, leadership in both the School of Immunity and Infection (Sii) and the affiliated MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research (CVR) has been male-dominated for as long as they have been in existence.

Until 2024, no female had ever been Head of Sii or CVR Director. This includes its previous iterations as the Institute of Infection, Immunity & Inflammation and the MRC Virology Unit, the latter of which was established in the late 1950s.

Now in 2025, both positions are held by outstanding female academics, setting an incredible precedent for future leaders in the field!

This IWD we would like to celebrate this by highlighting our new leaders. In this short article, you’ll get to know a little more about their expertise, some of the challenges they faced in their career development and why they believe gender balance in leadership is critical for excellence.

 

A head and shoulders portrait image of Professor Julia Edgar

Meet the Head of School of Infection and Immunity:

Professor Julia Edgar

Julia is internationally renowned for her research in the biology of the central nervous system (CNS) white matter. Her expertise in CNS biology and disorders stems from outstanding training and mentorship in the labs of Ian Griffiths (Glasgow) and Klaus-Armin Nave (Goettingen, Germany). Julia has held several advisory and funding panel positions for MND Scotland, MS Alliance, UK MS Society and the DFG funding council in Germany. Following her excellent contribution to Sii education leadership, Julia took up the Head of Sii role in April 2024.

Julia’s passion for neurobiology started from her studies at the University of Edinburgh, which included a placement at UC San Diego with Bill Kristian’s group. Following completion of a Wellcome Trust-funded PhD at Edinburgh in developmental neuroscience, she came to Glasgow as a research assistant, during which time she was awarded a Multiple Sclerosis Society fellowship to lead her own research group. After a period of time at the Max Planck Institute, Julia returned to Glasgow to take up her academic position, working her way up to Professor of Neurobiology and now Head of Sii.

Did you face any challenges during your career development?  

"As a scientist, one is constantly being challenged by peers and competitors, but that is undoubtedly to the betterment of the science. I enjoy these challenges. Thankfully, the onus on raising the issue of promotion is now on the manager – in the past, one had to raise the issue oneself, and this has led to a failure to reward contributions.”  

What are you most proud of in your career so far? 

"Being true to my values, facilitating the careers of students and trainees, my contributions to the field, and of the many friendships I’ve made along the way.” 

Why do you think gender parity in STEM leadership is important?

"It brings broader viewpoints, ideas and solutions, leading to more innovative problem-solving and a greater appreciation of the range of strengths within the team.” 

 

A head and shoulders portrait of Professor Emma Thomson

Meet the Interim Director of the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research:

Professor Emma Thomson

Emma is a world-class clinician scientist with expertise in emerging viral infections including SARS-CoV-2, Ebola virus and Crimean Congo Haemorrhagic Fever Virus. Her research uses sophisticated sequencing technologies to detect new and emerging viruses in the UK and internationally, building capacity for surveillance and diagnostics. Emma was instrumental in the CVR’s rapid response to the Covid-19 pandemic; her group sequenced the first Scottish case of SARS-CoV-2, and she continues to play a critical role in national and international pandemic preparedness activities. Emma has also held significant roles for the UK Vaccine Task Force, UK-HSA, COG-UK and the Scottish COVID-19 Genomics Oversight Group and continues to support UK government in identifying new and emerging viral threats.

Emma trained as an infectious diseases clinician in London (Royal Free, Ealing, UCLH, St Mary’s, and HTD) before embarking on a Wellcome Trust funded PhD in virus immunology at Imperial College and Oxford University. Emma came to the CVR as a Wellcome Trust Intermediate Clinical Fellow, where she set up her own research group. Emma has developed her leadership as an Associate Director at the CVR, and stepped into the Acting Director position in January 2025.

Did you face any challenges during your career development?  

"I trained in medicine and then worked as a junior doctor in Glasgow. At that time, there was no easy route for a clinical academic infectious diseases training pathway in Scotland and so I moved to London and then Oxford. I might have chosen that path anyway, but it’s critical that we support clinical research pathways across all major centres in the UK - it’s how we will discover the new vaccines and treatments of the future."

What are you most proud of in your career so far?

"I’m most proud of the scientific conversations and atmosphere in my lab meetings. It’s driven the virus discovery research we’ve done as a team on CCHFV, SARS-COV2 and AAV2 and it’s the favourite part of my week."

Why do you think gender parity in STEM leadership is important?

“It’s really important to see people 'like you' in leadership roles. This is important for gender, but also class background, ethnicity' and LGBQTI associations. We need all the talent we have from across our community to give people confidence at all career stages."

 

First published: 6 March 2025

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