100 Women: Why are there so few female scientists?

Gender equality champion at the University of Cambridge, Professor Dame Athene Donald, kicked off a debate at the BBC's inaugural 100 Women conference on why there are so few women in science and technology.

She joined the panel on the day she signed a letter to the Times newspaper, external accusing the BBC of not inviting scientists to the 100 Women event.

The BBC responded to that letter, saying those invited to the conference represented a cross-section of women in all spheres of life.

At the London event electronics engineer Divya Sharma, engineer Irina Chakraborty and social technology researcher Sian Lindley took part in the debate, which featured BBC science reporter Rebecca Morelle and was chaired by Lucy Hockings.

Others at the conference from the world of science, technology and medicine included Claire Bertschinger, Director of Tropical Nursing Studies at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and technology entrepreneur Martha Lane-Fox.