International Women’s Day 2026: accelerating change for women

From transforming women’s healthcare and shaping national policy to strengthening global communities, researchers and staff at the University of Birmingham are proving that when we invest in women’s knowledge, leadership and wellbeing, we gain healthier lives, fairer laws, safer streets and stronger futures.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re highlighting just ten of the powerful examples of how researchers at Birmingham are driving progress for women.

Transforming Ovarian Cancer Diagnosis

Earlier this year, NIHR-funded research led by Professor Sudha Sundar recommended a significantly more effective way to identify ovarian cancer in premenopausal women.

The team found that an advanced ultrasound model, IOTA ADNEX, correctly identified nine out of ten ovarian cancers in women who took part in the study, offering a more accurate diagnostic pathway.

Beyond improving outcomes, the research opens the door to using artificial intelligence to support ultrasound interpretation and reduce waiting times.

Supporting Mothers with Autoimmune Conditions

Research led by Dr Megha Singh is uncovering a significant rise in expectant mothers living with autoimmune diseases since the millennium.

Through the MumPredict programme, the team is exploring how these conditions affect pregnancy and long-term maternal health — and how better prediction and tailored care can improve outcomes for mothers and babies.

Closing the Menopause Care Gap

A new study led by 125 Fellow Dr Sarah Hillman has highlighted stark inequalities in access to inclusive menopause care across the UK.

The findings show that not all women receive the support, recognition or treatment they need — particularly those from marginalised backgrounds. By exposing these inequities, the research lays the foundation for fairer, more accessible menopause services nationwide.

Defending Reproductive Autonomy Worldwide

Dr Lucia Berro Pizzarossa is gathering first-hand evidence from women in Ecuador, Poland, Canada and the UK to challenge outdated laws on self-managed abortion.

In some countries, women still face criminalisation for taking abortion medication at home. This worldwide research project aims to reform legal frameworks and ensures reproductive autonomy is protected, not punished.

Improving IVF Outcomes through Better Progesterone Treatment

New research led by Dr Rima Dhillon-Smith suggests women undergoing IVF treatment may experience better outcomes when progesterone is delivered via capsules rather than pessaries.

A new analysis of 42,291 assisted reproduction treatment (ART) cycles across 14 UK fertility clinics found that vaginal micronised progesterone delivered as an oil-based capsule was associated with higher live birth rates and, in some cases, lower miscarriage rates compared with vaginal pessaries.

The findings provide important real-world evidence that, with further research, could help clinicians refine treatment approaches and improve success rates for patients undergoing fertility treatment.

Influencing the Government’s Safer Streets Mission

In February, Dr Sophie King-Hill, Associate Professor of Social Policy and Society, was awarded a prestigious UKRI Policy Fellowship, embedding her within the Cabinet Office’s Evaluation Task Force.

Her role supports the Government’s Safer Streets Mission, which aims to halve Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) and knife crime within the next decade while rebuilding trust in the Criminal Justice System.

Her research spans sexual health, young people, masculinity, and policy implementation — and she has previously given evidence to Westminster Select Committees and the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Transforming Women’s Justice

The philanthropically funded Women, Crime and Justice Research Group (WCJR) is building the evidence base for what works best for women in the criminal justice system.

The group, funded by JABBS, has delivered the first comprehensive UK validation of the Women’s Risk Needs Assessment (WRNA) tool, confirming its effectiveness in predicting reoffending risks. Upcoming work will test the Gendered Wellbeing Assessment and Complex Needs Casework Model, while exploring links between complex trauma (CPTSD) and criminalisation.

Strengthening Global Communities & Cultural Protection

Progress also means tackling structural barriers and cultural erasure.

• In November, Professor Sara Jones, Dr Irina Kuznetsova, and Dr Natalia Kogut launched the Ukrainian Policy Network with parliamentary support, providing a national voice for displaced Ukrainians in the UK. Built on a University survey of almost 3,000 displaced Ukrainians, the initiative recommends clearer residency pathways, improved access to Ukrainian-language mental health services, and the introduction of a Ukrainian GCSE.

• Dr Dawn England is examining global barriers to girls’ education, helping inform strategies that widen access and opportunity worldwide.
• Professor Rose Stamp, a British Academy Global Professor, is researching how a minority Palestinian sign language is being marginalised by more dominant sign languages — revealing how language, power and politics intersect and influence linguistic revolution.

Harnessing AI and Engineering to Strengthen Fertility Care

Improving women’s health is not solely the pursuit of female researchers. Professor Theodoros Arvanitis in Engineering has contributed to research advancing deep-learning frameworks designed to support earlier and more accurate diagnosis of ovarian cancer, alongside digital tools that may enhance fertility care following multiple miscarriages.

By combining artificial intelligence with biomedical engineering and clinical medicine, this work is helping to build systems that can assist clinicians in detecting complex patterns within imaging and health data. While this research is still evolving, it reflects an important shift in strengthening diagnostic precision and support of families navigating infertility and pregnancy loss.

Revealing the True Scale of Hidden Harm

For many crimes affecting women and girls, official statistics tell only part of the story.

Dr Rowland Seymour, a mathematician at the University of Birmingham, is developing advanced statistical modelling techniques to map and measure crimes that are often underreported — including forced marriage, child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEM), and female genital mutilation (FGM).

His research has shown that figures from the UK’s Forced Marriage Unit likely represent only the “tip of the iceberg”, with modelling suggesting significantly higher prevalence than official case numbers indicate. By combining census data, demographic modelling and administrative records, his work helps estimate the true scale of harm — giving policymakers the evidence needed to act. 

Commenting on the some of the remarkable work taking place across University of Birmingham, Professor Rachel O’Reilly, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Research), said: “These ten examples are just a glimpse of the extraordinary work happening across the University of Birmingham, which will directly support women. From the research labs to the policy tables, from local communities to global stages, our community is proof that when we give to women — in knowledge, in investment, in trust — we all gain. As we mark International Women's Day, it’s important to recognise that achieving healthier lives, fairer laws, safer streets and stronger futures for women and girls are not simply ideals; they are realities being built in Birmingham.”