Inspiring women

As we have reflected on visibility as part of women's history month, we wanted to share with you some of the amazing women who have inspired us in our personal and professional lives.

Martha Crenshaw

Our Co-Chair, Veronika, has shared how Martha Crenshaw has influenced and shaped the study of terrorism.

Martha Crenshaw is one of the most influential scholars in the study of terrorism and political violence. Her work has been central in shaping how academics and policymakers understand why terrorism occurs, how terrorist organisations operate, and how states should respond. Her seminal article “The Causes of Terrorism” (1981) remains one of the most widely cited works in terrorism studies and continues to influence research and policy debates today. Through her work, she helped establish terrorism studies as a serious academic field within security and defence studies.

https://profiles.stanford.edu/martha-crenshaw

Nicola Fear

Lucy immediately thought of Professor Nicola T. Fear who sadly died last month after as a short illness.

The words below have been written by her colleagues Dr Rachael Gribble, Professor Sharon Stevelink and Professor Sir Simon Wessely and can also be read via this link: In Memoriam: Professor Nicola T. Fear CBE

'Nicola was Professor of Military Epidemiology and Director of the King’s Centre for Military Health Research. She was also co-director of the Centre for Evidence for the Armed Forces Community and Research Co-Chair of the Service Children's Progression Alliance (SCiP) Impact Centre. She joined King's College London in 2004 from the Ministry of Defence, having started her career as a cancer epidemiologist. With KCMHR she established herself as an international authority in serving personnel, veteran and military family health and wellbeing, for which she was awarded the CBE in 2025. In 2025, she was also recognised as the first International Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research (CIMVHR) Fellow.

Nicola loved her work with a passion. She had a never-ending amount of kindness, patience and encouragement and an eagle eye for numbers and robust research. She supported many of us at KCMHR and beyond, through our careers as early career researchers and PhD students, making a huge contribution to the wider research community nationally as well as internationally. She also collaborated closely with many charitable organisations and policy teams to ensure that the work of KCMHR had real-life impact for military personnel, veterans, and their families.'

As I was lucky enough to experience first-hand, Nicola championed ECRs, offering support and guidance with her signature compassion, wisdom and warmth. Before she died, Nicola asked for a fellowship - the 'Townsend Fear Fellowship in Occupational Epidemiology' - to be set up for an ECR of the future to give them protected time to think, learn and produce meaningful work. The link for fundraising for the establishment of this fellowship can be accessed here: Fundraiser by Amy Iversen : The Townsend Fear Fellowship in Occupational Epidemiology

Dany Cotton

Hannah was recently blown away from hearing former London Fire Brigade Commissioner, Dany Cotton speak about her time in the fire service.

Twice I have had the privilege of being in the room when Dany Cotton has spoken about her time in the fire service. She has stood up and with no notes and a refreshing honesty just told it like it is. Her command of the room was instant, she was funny but had a serious message and the audience were spellbound. Having served at ever level of the fire service and as the first female Commissioner, she has lived through over thirty years of fire service change. She was open about the sexism she has encountered along the way and the challenges of her time leading the organisation which included the Grenfell fire and Manchester bombings. And she continues to advocate for women and speak up for what hasnt changed and still needs to. Her reflections will stay with me and I look forward to the next time I have chance to hear from her.