Professor Jackie Akhavan and Dr Laura Cleary of Cranfield University’s School of Defence and Security have both been shortlisted for this year’s Women in Defence UK Awards.
Cranfield is the only university to have staff shortlisted alongside military personnel and civil service and industry specialists. Professor Akhavan has been shortlisted for the Inspirational Award, while Dr Cleary is in the running for the Outstanding Contribution accolade.
Professor Akhavan – a Professor of Explosive Chemistry and Head of the Centre for Defence Chemistry – was nominated by her colleagues in recognition of her role as an inspiration for women looking to enter the defence and explosives field.
Elsewhere, Dr Cleary – Senior Lecturer in International Relations and Head of the Centre for International Security and Resilience – was nominated for her many contributions over the past 15 years. She has supported the UK government and Ministry of Defence during international engagement activities and overseas work within transitional states.
Dr Simon Harwood, Director of Cranfield Defence and Security, commented: “We’re delighted to have Professor Akhavan and Dr Cleary shortlisted for the Women in Defence Awards, both are an inspiration to their colleagues, our students and the wider defence and security community.
“Jackie has supported UK explosive and energetic programmes and UK national security through her research, development and consultancy work, and led the way in recruiting female members of staff, research and postgraduate students at Cranfield.
“Laura has made an outstanding contribution to the promotion of peace and democracy around the world through her leadership of the Centre for International Security and Resilience, which has enabled the development of more secure and resilient societies through the provision of high quality research, education, training, and consultancy.”
A shortlisting event now follows on 21 September, with the winners to be announced later on in the year.
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