GroWISE’s ‘Curious about Consultancy’ Lunch & Learn Masterclass 2023
An inaugural collaborative consultancy masterclass for women in STEM took place in June 2023: Oxford University Innovation’s Consulting Services and Cambridge Enterprises’s Consultancy Services joined forces to present opportunities in consultancy for GroWISE.
GroWISE is a series of engaging events and talks by accomplished women who have excelled in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM). These events are arranged by the Enterprising Women team (spearheaded by the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences Division at Oxford University (MPLS)) to empower and inspire. The recent ‘Curious about Consultancy’ masterclass had a specific objective to offer DPhil students and Post Doctorates valuable insights into the world of consultancy. The masterclass provided a clear understanding of consultancy’s nature, its components, essential considerations, as well as practical hints and tips on how to effectively showcase their skills and expertise to discover consulting opportunities. Real-life case study examples were thoughtfully integrated to inspire attendees on their professional journeys.
This inaugural collaborative event with Oxford’s and Cambridge’s Consulting Services teams took place on 14th June 2023. Dawn Gordon, from Oxford University Innovation’s Consulting Services Team (OUI), was invited to present at this webinar by Anne Miller, with whom she had recently presented with at the Mathematical Institute.
The initial planning session involved MPLS, GroWISE, Kirsty Latto from Cambridge Enterprise and Dawn and, drawing upon their combined twelve years of experience, Dawn and Kirsty prepared and reviewed their presentations to uncover differences between Oxford’s and Cambridge’s approaches – to learn that such differences were minimal. An additional benefit for both University teams was the exchange of key presentation slides.
The event response was remarkable, with registrations flooding in, the highest for any GroWISE event to date. A total of 191 participants registered to received information, with 65 participants attending on the day for the presentations and a vibrant Q&A session.
Since this event, OUI has proactively engaged the 85 Oxford participants, inviting them to register their details as a consultant via OUI’s pilot Consultant Registration Form. This will enable OUI to understand the areas they are researching and are interested in for possible future client consulting / opportunity matching. 32 people have already registered, spanning 15 different departments within the University with expertise from Pharma/MedTech to Law, Energy and Social Sciences.
“It was great to have the opportunity to unite with the Oxford team on this project. It has no doubt helped us to strengthen our messaging around consultancy as a positive method of collaboration with industry.” Kirsty Latto, Senior Commercialisation Associate (Consultancy), Cambridge Enterprise Limited.
“Thank you both for making it happen, as a true collaboration: we really are being the change we want to see!” Dr Anne Miller, MPLS Division Enterprise Programme Manager, Oxford University.
