Women's Networking Event

The Faculty of History invited its female academics, post-doctoral researchers and graduates to take part in a lunch time session providing a space for female historians to discuss aspects of life as an academic in a friendly, positive, and supportive atmosphere.

We are so pleased that the event was a fantastic success! Dr Lucy Delap, Dr Melissa Calaresu, Mr Mary Laven, Dr Suzanna Ivanic, Dr Helen Pfeifer and Professor Elisabeth van Houts all gave five-minute talks on a wide range of subjects. The audience heard about making the most of conference attendance, starting a lectureship, achieving a work-life balance, collaborative academic work, mentoring, CV building and applying for positions and funding.

I came away feeling optimistic and energized.

Afterwards, an informal networking session with refreshments was held in our Senior Combination Room, where speakers and audience members mingled and asked further questions.

The interest and excitement that preceded the session were certainly fulfilled, with comments ranging from it being "a great initiative" and a "well-designed event", to how "friendly" the atmosphere was of an all-female collaboration and sharing of ideas. As one participant said: "The very short presentations, the friendly atmosphere, and the informal but bounded opportunity for socialising/networking afterwards all worked really well to make it information-rich, but not too great a drain on time or energy. I would imagine that most participants came away, as I did, feeling optimistic and energized."

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woman talking