Nottingham Trent University has a reputation for nurturing female talent. Notable women alumni include Dame Laura Knight - the first female artist to be made a Dame of the British Empire, actress and presenter Ana Boulter, UK MP Hazel Blears, and journalists Louisa Preston and Sarah Travers.
The university has a history of supporting International Women’s Day as well as further campaigns like This Girl Can Week. They have a Women’s Staff Network, organise various women-focused initiatives and celebrate the diversity of students and staff through Global Week.
Nottingham as a city is also known for its work in forging gender parity. The city was home for suffragette Helen Watts, who fought with passion and courage to help win the vote for women. In addition, it is reported that more women from Nottingham signed a Suffrage Petition to Parliament in 1866 than from anywhere else in the East Midlands.
It is therefore no surprise that Nottingham Trent University is running a whole host of celebrations in recognition of International Women's Day 2019.
Women everywhere to join a very special silent vigil
On International Women's Day itself (Friday 8th March 2019) the university joined women from all over the world in a two minute silent vigil at midday. The idea behind the #silenceisntgolden vigil was 'Your voice, your power, your rights'. A special video on the concept can be watched here, and more about the event can be found at this link.
Launch of the University’s Employability Women’s Network
Women’s Week saw Nottingham Trent University launch a new Employability Women's Network that matches up NTU students with female leaders across multiple industries around the globe with the help of organisations such as The Women’s Leadership and Empowerment Network, Boots, The National Trust and more. The mentoring scheme enables students access to female leaders, and to gain insight and industry knowledge. The mentoring programme is made up of one day mentorships through to one year mentorships.
A new podcast and a Code First: Girls coding course for women - was also launched.
Forging a #BalanceforBetter at NTU
Celebrations began ahead of IWD, kicking off with a panel discussion titled ‘Where are all the Female Icons?’. At City Campus, NTU students and staff will hear six inspirational, speakers share their opinions and discuss the importance and influence of female icons through an exciting debate.
A further event, held at their Clifton Campus, celebrated Women in STEM and sees guest speakers from all STEM disciplines sharing experiences from when they graduated to where they are now. They provided insight into issues across the STEM sector as well as what they and their organisations are doing to tackle the gender diversity issue. Speakers included BAE Systems, WLEN, Rolls Royce, RB and more.
A major highlight on International Women’s Day itself saw both NTU and the University of Nottingham come together for a free event celebrating the achievements of women in Nottingham and beyond, and discuss how to #BalanceforBetter. Academic speakers offered their thoughts on how gender equality and intersectionality could be supported within the environment of higher education.
Professor Edward Peck, Vice-Chancellor of Nottingham Trent University, and Professor Shearer West, Vice-Chancellor of University of Nottingham, opened and closed the event that NTU are hosting at their City Campus.
Prestigious female speakers included Dr Marcia Wilson, Acting Executive Dean at the College of Applied Health and Communities, and the Head of School for Health, Sport and Bioscience at the University of East London; Rashmi Patel who is Head of HR Operations at Nottingham Trent University; and Margaret Monckton who is the University of Nottingham’s Chief Financial Officer.
A panel discussion consisting of colleagues from both institutions discussed caring responsibilities and balancing life and work. The event also featured an extended networking lunch, a ‘three minute thesis’ session with female PhD students from both institutions, and a similar-format platform for female participants of the Graduate Development Programme at NTU and Apprenticeship programme at the University of Nottingham.
There was also an exhibition showcasing trailblazing women, both past and present, who have a connection with Nottingham.
The Women’s Staff Networks from both institutions put on an exciting range of activities on the day and throughout the week.
Nottingham Trent University sayid “Our speakers share a range of experiences from within academia, professional services and industry, giving valuable insight into how we can support gender equality and intersectionality within our university communities, higher education, and more broadly.”
An inclusive workplace for everyone
Award-winning NTU is a keen supporter of International Women’s Day and celebrating the diversity of its workforce and student body.
The university was ceelbrated as Modern University of the Year in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2018. They were also shortlisted for the University of the Year title in the Times Higher Education Awards, and achieved ‘gold’ rating in the Government’s Teaching Excellence Framework.
Join this prime employer for women
If you want to work for an organisation that truly embraces diversity and consistently focuses on gender parity, search and apply for your next career move with Nottingham Trent University.
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Disclosure: Where Women Work researches and publishes insightful evidence about how its paid member organizations support women's equality.