Women make up 51% of the world’s population. And yet, for decades, women’s health has taken a back seat in the medical industry. Historically, studies were based on male anatomy because hormones were seen as confounding variables. But that’s beginning to change, thanks to the concerted efforts of researchers and medical professionals around the world committed to addressing the gender gap in health.

Why watch this recording?

In this hour-long webinar, you will hear from two researchers leading the charge in women’s health sciences, and gain insight into the history of women’s exclusion from biomedical research and the detrimental consequences of the subsequent biases in the field. What needs to change to close the knowledge gaps in women’s health? And, what is the expected timeline for this progress to be achieved?

You will hear about Bronwyn Graham’s research, focusing on the effects and novel discoveries of female sex hormones on mental health. You will also hear from Francesca E Duncan about her work on reproductive age, specifically with a focus on the menopause and women’s biological clock. Due to time-zone issues, Bronwyn Graham’s section is a pre-recorded presentation.

Individuals with technical experience in the field and those interested in the wider medical sciences will find this webinar insightful. This event appeals to not just women, but anyone with an interest in equality and fair representation within the medical sciences.

Please note, a certificate of attendance will be provided in the coming days. You do not need to request this – only those who attended the webinar live will be eligible.

Meet our experts

Bronwyn Graham

Bronwyn Graham is the director of the Centre for Sex & Gender Equity in Health & Medicine at the George Institute for Global Health, UK, and a professor in the School of Psychology at UNSW Sydney, Australia. A clinical psychologist and behavioural neuroscientist, Bronwyn has dedicated her career to improving women’s mental health by researching how the female brain regulates emotions and translating the findings to clinical settings and beyond. Her team has led policy changes to improve the quality of medical research and healthcare by accounting for the influence of sex and gender on health outcomes. 

 

Francesca E Duncan

Francesca E Duncan is co-director of the Center for Reproductive Science and an associate professor in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Northwestern University, US. She leads a research programme focused on understanding the cellular mechanisms of how aging – both physiologic and iatrogenic – impacts reproductive potential at the levels of the gamete and ovary. She is passionate about educating the next generation of leaders in the reproductive sciences, and is the recipient of several prestigious honours including the 2019 Virendra B Mahesh New Investigator Award from the Society for the Study of Reproduction, the 2024 Rolly Simpson Frontiers in Reproduction Distinguished Alumni Award, and the 2024 Roger V Short Medal and Lecture.