The Association of Physicians of Great Britain & Ireland (AoPGBI) Launches Women of the AoP
A new initiative has been launched by the Association of Physicians of Great Britain and Ireland (AoPGBI) to promote diversity within the clinical research world, with an initial focus on addressing the gender gap.
The initiative which aims to increase visibility and representation for women, recognising their unique perspectives and skills, and create a programme of actions for progression and change was launched with a working group of members of the association in London on 2 April 2025.
Professor Sinéad M Langan, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology and Medical Director London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Honorary Secretary of the AoPGBI, has stepped up to take the lead on this project and is determined to ensure this initiative takes solid actions towards change within the AoPGBI and beyond. “I am delighted to lead the new initiative highlighting the women of the AoPGBI. I look forward to working with members to explore the key issues and to define actions with a view to enhancing visibility and representation in the AoPGBI” Professor Langan commented.
Professor Julian Knight, Honorary Treasurer of the AoPGBI, who is also championing this initiative spoke on the importance of introducing this initiative within the AoP and why it must ensure it includes the perspective of all members regardless of gender. Professor Knight added: “The Association has the opportunity and responsibility to help deliver change in terms of diversity and representation. We celebrate the brilliant women within the AoP and look forward to working together to better promote equality and opportunity for women at all stages of their career, and to use this initiative as a springboard to promote diversity and inclusion more generally and supporting underrepresented groups in translational medicine.”
“The meeting, the first of its kind within the AoPGBI, was a big success with lots of positive actions to be taken forward by the group. I would like to thank all those that attended and contributed with great ideas around visibility, and support in the form of resources and people. We are eager to start work on these priorities and idea from the membership and create an initiative that delivers real actions for change” Professor Langan concluded.
There will now be a follow up to the initial meeting which listed several actions to be moved forward by those in the room, which includes extending the initiative out to the wider membership, new members and a number of communications exercises.
Further information will be shared as the programme progresses but if you would like to be involved with this work please contact: aopgbi@associationsltd.co.uk
