WISC: Women and Inclusion in Supramolecular Chemistry
OUR PROJECTS
WISC's research projects are driven by and in response to the needs of the community
Our research projects combine creative and reflective aspects of social science with STEM and explore the lived experiences of supramolecular chemists through:
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collaborative autoethnography studies
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reflective workshops
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You can find out more about our methods in our open access book Women in Supramolecular Chemistry: Collectively Crafting the Rhythms of Our Work and Lives in STEM as well as in a chapter 6 of The Handbook of Creative Data Analysis
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Please get in touch if you have proposals for a research project
WISC are uniquely positioned to study and reflect on the experiences of women and marginalised groups in our community. These projects are led by our resident social scientist - Dr Jennifer Leigh - who is an expert in embodiment, reflective practice, identity, academic practice, ableism and inclusivity and creative research methods in higher education. Jen L. is coordinating a number of projects, working with different groups of our network members from the supramolecular chemistry community.
Find out more about our projects
1st Generation Supramolecular Chemists
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This project investigated the impact of being a 1st Generation chemist (defined as the 1st in a family to attend a higher education institution) on career progression in science.
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You can find out more about the project in the publication:
M. Yacoub, S. Koops, P. Axelithioti, C. Caltagirone, E. R. Draper, C. J. E. Haynes, C. K. Hind, M. Kieffer, L. K. S. von Krbek, A. J. McConnell, S. Pike, A. G. Slater, J. R. Hiscock, J. S. Leigh, Chem. Sci. 2025, DOI: doi.org/10.1039/D5SC00205B.
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Managing Research During the Covid-19 Pandemic
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This project explored lived experiences of supramolecular chemists during the Covid-19 pandemic by triangulating data from an online survey, collaborative authoethnography study and reflective group meetings.
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You can find out more about the project in the publication and editorial:
Publication
J. S. Leigh, J. R. Hiscock, S. Koops, A. J. McConnell, C. J. E. Haynes, C. Caltagirone, M. Kieffer, E. R. Draper, A. G. Slater, K. M. Hutchins, D. Watkins, N. Busschaert, L. K. S. von Krbek, K. A. Jolliffe, M. J. Hardie, Chem 2022, 8, 299-311. Link
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Editorial
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1st Survey
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When WISC was launched we wanted to find out what support the needed in order to develop targeted initiatives. This led us to start our first research project where we surveyed the community.
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You can find out more about the project in the publication and editorial:
Publication
​C. Caltagirone, E. R. Draper, M. J. Hardie, C. J. E. Haynes, J. R. Hiscock, K. A. Jolliffe, M. Kieffer, A. J. McConnell, J. S. Leigh, Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 2021, 60, 11572-11579. Link
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Editorial