Building a Global Community for Women in Chromatography

Chromatography, while rich with innovation, has, like many fields, grappled with gender disparity, particularly at senior levels. To help address this, the International Women in Chromatography group was formed, creating an important network for support and advocacy. In this roundtable discussion, the group's founders shared their perspectives and experiences. Diane Turner, founder and senior consultant of Anthias Consulting Limited, has decades of industry expertise. Jacqueline Hamilton, science director at the National Centre for Atmospheric Science and professor at the University of York, offers an academic perspective. Caroline Gauchotte-Lindsay, who works at the interface of engineering and analytical chemistry at the University of Glasgow, provides a unique viewpoint on innovation. Together, they explored the genesis of their community, the systemic challenges women face, and the powerful impact of simply knowing you are not alone in the field.

The Genesis of a Global Network

The International Women in Chromatography group began with a moment of frustration and a simple online form. Gauchotte-Lindsay, inspired by other networks addressing attrition of women in chemistry and motivated by her own experiences at conferences, proposed the idea during an online talk. "I said I wanted to start this women's network, so if you're interested... put your email here," she recalled. The response was immediate, garnering about 100 initial expressions of interest. This momentum led to a collaboration with Hamilton and Turner, formally launching the community. Today, it primarily exists as a thriving LinkedIn group with over 450 members, designed to connect women across all chromatography disciplines, sectors, and career stages. The initiative is a direct response to stubborn statistics showing that while undergraduate chemistry classes are often gender-balanced, the proportion of women falls far lower at the professorial level, indicating a system that selectively filters women out as careers advance (1).

Creating a Sense of Belonging

Beyond the numbers, the group’s primary function is to combat the isolation many women feel at large, often male-dominated conferences. Hamilton highlighted the powerful, immediate impact of their first in-person event, held at ISC 2024. "Individuals came up to me saying, 'I go to all these conferences all by myself... now I feel like I'm walking around this conference already knowing people,'" she shared.

This creation of a welcoming sense of community is a core achievement. The network empowers members to connect with others who may be alone, transforming a potentially lonely experience into one of collaboration and friendship. As Gauchotte-Lindsay emphasized, the goal isn't to create a closed-off group but to provide a foundational starting point—a community where shared experiences are recognized, making it easier to then network broadly across the entire field.

The Power of Advocacy and Recognition

A key mission for the group is addressing the visible lack of recognition for women’s achievements. A collective goal is to actively combat this by "putting [others in the community] forward for prizes" and advocating for better representation among speakers, particularly in prestigious keynote and plenary roles at conferences. The community aims to shift this mindset, encouraging members to celebrate each other's successes loudly. This advocacy ensures that women’s research receives the spotlight it deserves, providing role models for the next generation of scientists.

A Member-Driven Future

The founders are clear that the future of International Women in Chromatography is not theirs alone to dictate. There is a clear appetite for initiatives like mentoring programs and formalized networking events, such as the one held at ISC and at this year’s HPLC conference. The group’s evolution will be guided by the needs of its members, ensuring it remains a relevant and powerful force for fostering gender equity, providing a supportive community, and ensuring the contributions of women in chromatography are recognized and celebrated.

Reference

(1) Miller-Friedmann, J.; Childs, A.; Hillier, J. Approaching Gender Equity in Academic Chemistry: Lessons Learned from Successful Female Chemists in the UK. Chem. Educ. Res. Pract. 2018, 19, 24–41. DOI: 10.1039/C6RP00252H