THE world’s first female blast furnace boss will join inspirational speakers at a Teesside University public lecture celebrating International Women's Day.

Dr Jane Atkinson will join other women talking about their diverse careers at the Inspiring Change event from 4pm on Thursday, March 6 in the University’s Innovation Centre lecture theatre, Stephenson Building.

Having become the first woman in the world to manage a blast furnace in 2004, the vice president of Sembcorp became a Teesside University honorary graduate in 2011.

Newcastle MP Chi Onwurah and academic Samantha Goonerante will also be speakers at the event.

Ms Goonerante, who is originally from Sri Lanka, moved to the UK aged 19 to study before joining Teesside University in 2011 as a lecturer in chemical engineering.

She is involved with ScienceGrrl, a national organisation aimed at improving the visibility of women in science and engineering roles.

Their talks will be followed by a panel Question and Answer session at 5.45pm. Joan Heggie, Research Fellow at Teesside University will host and introduce each speaker.

Places must be booked online at www.tees.ac.uk or by contacting Jane Hutchinson on 01642-738233 or email events@tees.ac.uk