Women in Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics

To mark the centenary of women being awarded degrees at Oxford University, DPAG celebrates some of the women who have contributed to the success of the Department, and its predecessor departments, over the last century.

In recognition of the fact that women have been largely excluded from DPAG’s history, we undertook a project in 2021 to redress the balance and called for nominations of women, both staff and students, who played a role in shaping the Department and/or went on to have successful careers outside of DPAG. This website is the result of that project and we hope that it serves both to celebrate our past and to inspire future generations of women. We are particularly pleased that several of these photographs now adorn the walls of our Sherrington Building, alongside those of men.

Over 60 women past and present have been featured, which is by no means comprehensive. We have verified our information either directly with the women themselves or through formal online sources such as obituaries in order to ensure accuracy as best possible. Unfortunately, as women were often not celebrated during their lifetime, their timelines are, in some instances, an approximation.

Our thanks go to the women we have recognised in this project and their nominees for raising their profile.