Lorna Slater, the Engineering Project Manager for Scotrenewables Tidal Power Ltd who lives in Edinburgh near the top of Leith Walk is off on a trip.
But not just any trip – she has been selected as one of 80 women from 28 different countries who will undergo 12 months of leadership development training, culminating in a 21 day expedition to Antarctica in January 2019.
Homeward Bound is a groundbreaking leadership initiative for women in Science Technology Engineering Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM). The programme aims to heighten the leadership capability of women scientists and engineers to enhance their influence and impact on policy and decision making as it shapes our planet.
The Homeward Bound programme recognises that there is a shortage of women in leadership and policy development positions around the world. It aims to develop the leadership skills of women in STEMM who can then fill this gap and go on to influence policy around climate change and sustainability. Three applicants from Scotland including Lorna were accepted for the 2019 expedition.
Why Antarctica? Antarctica is not the focus, but the picture-frame for Homeward Bound. The location of the expedition is intended to focus participants’ minds, through showing them first hand, one of the world’s environments that is most vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
Why women in STEMM? The voices of scientists will be vital in helping us solve some of our most intractable problems. But scientists need to have the skills and connections to be able to speak up outside of their own communities.
They need to know how to influence policy, how to communicate with the media and the leadership skills to take on projects and implement a vision. Women are under-represented in both STEMM and climate change policy globally, this programme aims to support women in both fields.
We look forward to hearing more about Lorna’s journey as it unfolds!
