The annual Athena Lecture was established in 2001 by the Academic Opportunities Committee to celebrate the achievements of women in science, engineering, technology and medicine. It is given annually by a prominent female scientist.
It is coordinated by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Centre at Imperial. Visit their pages for more information about the lecture and for a full list of previous Athena speakers.
Past speakers include Michele Dougherty, Astronomer Royal and Executive Chair of STFC, Grazia Vittadini, CTO, Rolls-Royce, Professor Dame Ann Dowling, President of the Royal Academy of Engineering, Professor Deborah Smith, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research at the University of York and Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester.
You can watch some of our Athena Lecture live streams below or on our .
Athena Lecture live streams
Discoveries at the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn
Professor Michele Dougherty, Professor of Space Physics and Astronomer Royal, explores evidence of oceans on Jupiter and Saturn’s moons and their potential to host extraterrestrial life in solar system. This lecture is part of the annual Athena Lecture series, and Women at Imperial WProfessor Michele Dougherty, Professor of Space Physics and Astronomer Royal, explores evidence of oceans on Jupiter and Saturn’s moons and their potential to host extraterrestrial life in solar system. This lecture is part of the annual Athena Lecture series, and Women at Imperial Week 2026.eek 2026.
Discoveries at the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn
Professor Michele Dougherty, Professor of Space Physics and Astronomer Royal
Professor Michele Dougherty, Professor of Space Physics and Astronomer Royal, explores evidence of oceans on Jupiter and Saturn’s moons and their potential to host extraterrestrial life in solar system. This lecture is part of the annual Athena Lecture series, and Women at Imperial WProfessor Michele Dougherty, Professor of Space Physics and Astronomer Royal, explores evidence of oceans on Jupiter and Saturn’s moons and their potential to host extraterrestrial life in solar system. This lecture is part of the annual Athena Lecture series, and Women at Imperial Week 2026.eek 2026.
Overcoming challenges in the pandemic
Dame Kate Bingham, Managing Partner, SV Health Investors
Dame Kate Bingham, Managing Partner, SV Health Investors, and former Chair of the UK Vaccine Taskforce, explores the lasting impact of women's leadership and resilience during the pandemic.
Why evidence matters
Professor Dame Anne Glover, President of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society
Professor Dame Anne Glover, Special Advisor to the Principal at the University of Strathclyde and President of the Royal Scottish Geographical Society, delivers the Athena Lecture 2024: Why evidence matters
Taking off to new horizons - how diversity propels aerospace
Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer, Rolls-Royce
Grazia Vittadini, Chief Technology Officer, Rolls-Royce, delivers the Athena Lecture 2023: Taking off to new horizons - how diversity propels aerospace.
Passions, failures, bold decisions and alternative careers
Dr Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief of Nature and Chief Editorial Advisor for Nature Research
Dr Magdalena Skipper, Editor in Chief of Nature and Chief Editorial Advisor for Nature Research presents the 2021 Athena Lecture: Of passions, failures, bold decisions and alternative careers.
Experiments in Chemistry and life
Dame Mary Archer DBE, Chair of the Science Museum Group
Experiments in Chemistry and Life. Dame Mary Archer, Chair of the Science Museum Group gives the annual Athena Lecture with celebrates the achievements of women in science.