Women in Science Policy Network (WISP)
Before the conference kicks off in Bristol, the Women in Science Policy (WISP) network invites you to a special networking event on the evening of Tuesday, 2 September. This gathering brings together women from across science, technology, and innovation policy to connect, share experiences, and build supportive professional relationships. With limited places available and demand high, don’t miss the chance to start your STI-ENID journey surrounded by a vibrant, inclusive community dedicated to advancing women’s leadership and visibility in the field.
We are delighted to invite you to the Women in Science Policy (WISP) gathering on Tuesday evening, 2 September, just before the STI-ENID conference begins. From 6:30 to 8:00 pm, we will meet aboard the beautiful 6 O’Clock Gin Glassboat, moored on Welsh Back in the centre of Bristol. This riverside location is just a short walk from Temple Meads station and easily accessible by bus from Bristol Bridge or The Centre, offering the perfect setting to begin conversations that can carry throughout the conference.
​Since its founding at the 2022 conference in Granada, WISP has become an integral part of the STI-ENID scholarly community. It provides a warm, supportive space where women working in science and research policy can connect, share their experiences, and strengthen their professional confidence.
In a field where evaluation and selection processes have historically reinforced inequalities, the network offers something different: a community grounded in mutual respect, shared learning, and encouragement.​ The importance of such spaces is underscored by persistent disparities in the global research landscape. Women produce significantly fewer publications than men and receive fewer citations for their work (Sugimoto & Lariviere, 2023). Even when mixed-gender teams are formed, they tend to achieve higher impact, yet they remain less common. These are sine if the realities that make intentional, inclusive networking all the more essential.​
WISP brings together women from across the diverse fields relevant to science, technology, and innovation policy, including research evaluation, scientometrics, policy analysis, and science governance. It fosters an inclusive, intergenerational community where mentoring, peer exchange, and collaboration are central.
Over just a few years, it has helped form lasting professional relationships and friendships that extend well beyond the conference.
This year’s event is limited to 40 participants, and interest has been exceptionally high. Places have been allocated by random selection from those who expressed interest during registration. If you have received an invitation but can no longer attend, please let us know as soon as possible so your place can be offered to someone on the waiting list.​
We look forward to welcoming you to an evening of conversation, connection, and support in Bristol. Together, we can continue to strengthen the visibility, voice, and leadership of women in science policy.