Women in Science with Professor Lesley Cornish University of Witwatersrand

This week on Womanity-Women in Unity, Dr. Amaleya Goneos-Malka talks to Professor Lesley Cornish from the School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits). She is also the Director of the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials and the Director of the African Research Universities Alliance Centre of Excellence in Materials, Energy and Nanotechnology. We discuss women in science in terms of barriers and opportunities in the context of the African Union’s strategy to place science, technology and innovation at the epicentre of Africa’s socio-economic development and growth. Prof. Cornish unpacks some of their focal areas on material research that ranges from improving the effectiveness of materials, such as increasing strength and longevity of use to reducing waste and becoming more energy efficient. We also discuss the role of tertiary institutions to developing students into responsible global citizens that contribute positively to humanity and the world at large. Prof. Cornish reflects on her life experience and remarks that there is nothing a woman cannot do, they just need to be given the opportunity to pursue their ambitions. #womeninscience. Tune in for more.