2021 SPIE Women in Optics Planner

Jess Wade,
Imperial College London,
Member, SPIE Equity Diversity, and Inclusion Committee

Last year was one of uncertainty — lockdowns, delayed experiments, cancellations, anxiety, and fear. Wherever you are in the world, the way we research, teach, and practice changed overnight. Amidst the chaos, women leaders navigated their countries away from danger. Women virologists led the research and development of much-needed vaccinations. Women engineers designed and manufactured novel breathing machines. Women high-school teachers took their physics classes online. Women physicians saved hundreds of thousands of lives.

This planner highlights some of the women who are making the world a better place. Women who are at the forefront of their disciplines, women who are making extraordinary discoveries, women who are using their platforms to elevate others. What you’ll notice is no two stories are the same — there’s no such thing as a standard career for a scientist. Instead, there’s passion, hard work, and collaboration.

SPIE is home to an incredible community of people working in optics and photonics. They’re here to help you network, collaborate, and learn. I hope that the stories of these fascinating women inspire you as much as they have excited me. Whilst we can’t predict what 2021 will bring, we can be certain that the voices of scientists and engineers will be more important than ever before. So find your voice, and make it loud.

~Jess

Women in Optics 2021 Planner

View the 2021 profiles by clicking on names, listed in alphabetical order, below:

The 2021 SPIE Women in Optics planner is sponsored by: