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A female mathematician is to head Bournemouth University from December. Gillian Slater, 45, is pro vice chancellor at Manchester Metropolitan University. A woman scientist will also head the Government's new development unit for promoting women in science, engineering and technology. Lynda Sharp, 35, will be on secondment from the Ministry of Defence for two years. She has a first-class degree in mathematics from the University of Strathclyde and has led a research team at the Royal Aircraft Establishment at Farnborough, now the Defence Research Agency.