It wasn't until I moved here that I realised
that I wanted to do more than just
the research and more than just building the Centre for Astrophysics.
Part of my job was building bridges with many of the colleges
and the schools around the region, helping to identify those students
who would really benefit from an intensive research experience.
We brought in about 50 students from around the region, largely women.
They are co-authors on any papers that we publish, they're given responsibilities
to lead a subcomponent of particular projects
and we can see that that outreach and engagement,
the work that we've been doing, these 100 events that we do
per year with schools and colleges around the region
is making a difference for our recruitment,
but more importantly for improving diversity and widening participation.
Ten years ago, about 10% of the first year cohort were women, to now is what, 30%
of the first year cohort?
That's the thing we take probably the greatest pride in.