University of Buckingham celebrates pioneering women in security and intelligence
The University of Buckingham welcomed 75 attendees and 15 speakers to a special international conference celebrating the achievements of women working in intelligence, counter-terrorism, defence and diplomacy.
Held on Wednesday 21 October as part of the University's 50th anniversary celebrations, the Women in Security and Intelligence conference brought together leading female professionals to share their experiences, highlight career opportunities and inspire the next generation.
Organised by the University's Centre for Security and Intelligence Studies (BUCSIS), the event shone a spotlight on the remarkable contributions women have made to national and international security, often in professions traditionally dominated by men.
The 15 speakers represented an impressive breadth of professional experience, from intelligence gathering and counter-terrorism to military leadership, diplomacy and private sector security.
Among them were former CIA professional Maura Burns; senior policing and counter-terrorism leader Terri Nicholson QPM; Emma Keith, Commandant of the RAF Tedder Academy of Leadership; and Fiona Galbraith, former Commanding Officer of the UK's 1st Military Intelligence Battalion.
Other contributors included experienced chair and founder Kristi Rogers, International SOS security specialist Erika Weisbrod, Amanda Goodger, whose career spans academia, ARM and GCHQ, senior intelligence analyst Natasha Hornby, and former British diplomat Georgina Furr.
Author, historian and filmmaker Cecile Coolen also joined researchers and graduates to offer perspectives on the changing role of women in intelligence and security, both historically and today.
The conference celebrated the achievements of women working at the highest levels of these professions while highlighting the diverse career paths available to those considering a future in security and intelligence.
With opportunities for women continuing to grow across the sector, the event aimed to challenge traditional perceptions, recognise female leadership and encourage more women to pursue careers in these important fields.
Held at the University's Mount Pleasant Campus in Buckingham, with online access also available, the conference provided a platform for sharing professional experiences and perspectives from across the international security community.
The event formed part of the University of Buckingham's 50th anniversary celebrations, recognising five decades of education and its commitment to preparing students for careers in an ever-changing world.