Female professors lead the way

The University is showing its commitment to its strapline Confronting Inequality: Celebrating Diversity with the recent appointment of two female professors.

The appointment of Professor Val Randall and Professor Diana Anderson, both of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, brings the University's total number of female professors to seven.


(left to right) Professor Diana Anderson and Professor Val Randall


Professor Randall said: "There is a very low percentage of women professors nationally and this is a problem. The University is very keen on equal opportunities and these appointments are one example of that. Hopefully we will provide good role models for our female students.

"It is very unusual to appoint two female Professors in a short space of time, especially in science. It is particularly interesting that we both also have children."

Professor Randall has worked at the University since March 1987. She was promoted from senior lecturer to Professor for her internationally renowned research into the cell biology of androgens in the hair follicle - the reasons why male sex hormones stimulate beard growth and cause balding of the scalp in the same person.

She was previously Chairman of the European Hair Research Society.

Professor Anderson was previously at BIBRA International (now TNO BIBRA International Ltd) from 1981. She has been appointed as the established Chair of the Department of Biomedical Sciences, succeeding Professor Terry Baker.

Professor Anderson was appointed for her internationally renowned research interests in the fields of genetic and reproductive toxicology. This involves the study of damage to DNA in normal and cancer cells and reproductive organs.

She has trained many foreign scientists in her areas of expertise and helped them set up facilities in their own countries. She is a member of several national and international committees, including the European Union and the World Health Organisation.

Professor Anderson said: "I am delighted to be appointed as I have always had a strong interest in teaching and post-graduate research and some areas of my research overlap those of my colleagues in the Department. This will provide some interesting collaborations."

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