Queen's puts women in frame

A huge canvas depicting women emerging from the shadows, painted by award-winning artist Michelle Rogers, has been unveiled in the council chamber of Queen's University, Belfast, to mark women's achievements.

The painting is the brainchild of Queen's women's forum, which has launched a 12-point initiative to raise the profile and position of women at the university. This includes a mentoring system for female academics, better career prospects for clerical staff and improved childcare.

Margaret Mullett, director of the initiative, said the painting embodied the forum's message about the role of women at Queen's. "It conveys an amazing sense of purpose and confidence," she said. Vice-chancellor Sir George Bain said: "In both a real and a symbolic sense, this painting signifies a long overdue change in culture."

Queen's last week became winner of the first Athena Awards to encourage women in science, engineering and technology. Among its initiatives is a gender-awareness course for trainee science and engineering teachers.