Women of Outstanding Achievement Awards 2011 - in pictures

Professor Dame Athene Donald, winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award: 'Don't be put off if you're surrounded by a sea of male faces; you're just as good and have as much to offer as the men.' Professor Donald works at the University of Cambridge and has been a pioneer of soft matter and biological physics in the UK. She is a director of the university’s Women in Science, Engineering and Technology initiative to inspire and support women scientists within the university. She chairs the Athena Forum which deals with issues around career progression for women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine subjects in higher education Photograph: Robert Taylor/UKRC

Professor Dame Ann Dowling, winner of the Inspiration and Leadership in Academia and Research Award: 'With an engineering or science career you can really make a difference to the world.' Professor Dowling is head of the UK’s biggest engineering department, at the University of Cambridge. She has excelled in the field of aeronautics, a branch of engineering where female representation is particularly low, making her a vital role model. She is a leading authority on aircraft noise and emissions reduction Photograph: Robert Taylor/UKRC

Professor Eileen Ingham, winner of the Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Academia and Research Award: 'It is a privilege to be able to spend my working life in activities that I truly enjoy.' Professor Ingham heads the Institute of Medical and Biological Engineering at the University of Leeds, a world-leading centre of excellence in medical engineering with more than 100 academic researchers and external grant income in excess of £50m Photograph: Robert Taylor/UKRC

Kate Bellingham, winner of the Communicating Science, Engineering and Technology to Society Award: 'Encouraging young people to consider pursuing science, technology, engineering and maths can change their lives. I am so lucky to be in a position to have that kind of influence'. Aside from her career in broadcasting, Bellingham is a maths teacher and president of Young Engineers and has just completed two years as national STEM careers coordinator. Other projects include being on the government Science for Careers Expert Group, a speaker at Maths Inspiration events, and education ambassador for the BLOODHOUND Engineering Adventure Photograph: Robert Taylor/UKRC

Dervilla Mitchell, winner of the Inspiration and Leadership in Business and Industry Award: 'Employers need to provide a flexible working environment where there is equal opportunity for women to advance to the highest level.' Mitchell is Arup’s most senior female engineer and led the company's involvement in the construction of Heathrow's fifth terminal. She helped establish Arup’s women’s network, ConnectWomen and is championing its Inclusive Leadership Programme Photograph: Robert Taylor/UKRC

Eur Ing Dr Phebe Mann, winner of the Tomorrow’s Leader Award: 'Don't be discouraged by failure: every success is built on many failures.' Mann has broken new ground by being the first woman to hold five professional engineering qualifications in the UK. Outside of her day job, Phebe devotes time and energy to helping students succeed in science, engineering and technology Photograph: Robert Taylor/UKRC

Cary Marsh, winner of the Innovation & Entrepreneurship in Business and Industry Award: 'The opportunities to be innovative and creative are everywhere you look.' Marsh is the CEO and founder of Mydeo.com. She is a founding member of the Everywoman Modern Muse campaign. She regularly speaks at events about her passion for getting more girls interested in science and technology Photograph: Robert Taylor/UKRC