This event, brilliantly hosted by TV host Steph McGovern, celebrated the efforts across the University in equality, diversity and inclusion and particularly celebrating and empowering women in leadership roles. There were a variety of amazing speakers, sharing important takeaway messages. It was an honour to be invited and hear the next steps the university are taking to support women in leadership roles, starting with an update by Professor Karen McCloskey, Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion,  who spoke of the latest ambitious target to increase the number of female professors at QUB from 34% to 40% by 2030.  As a school with ~13% female professors, we are delighted to support this aim and improve equality, diversity and inclusion across all positions of leadership in the University.

We also heard from Fleur Anderson, MP and Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Northern Ireland.  Her career story was fascinating,  from working in conflict zones to raising four children and campaigning to save a local pub and children’s centre; Fleur Anderson explained she became a counsellor because someone else suggested she could do that.  It is vital that we support and encourage each other - sometimes we need someone else to tell us we can and then we thrive. Fleur spoke about sometimes to get into the room, we need to change the rules.  It is important to reflect on our systems and where there may be inherent bias, and to ask what can we do to support and encourage each other and ensure women are represented.  Lastly, she mentioned the importance about addressing violence against women and girls, an important issue, that warrants much further discussion. 

Three undergraduate scholars also formed a panel alongside an SU representative, discussing their personal experience of the Clinton Scholarship as part of their studies at Queen’s.  This project was launched in April 2023, and enables undergraduate students from a widening participation background the opportunity to travel and spend time in the USA to enhance their career. The students, from different faculties across the university, were full of enthusiasm when describing their experience undertaking a US Career Development programme, which included spending some time in the USA.  They spoke of their learnings, including the importance of an online profile, such as on the LinkedIn platform, and other conversations with leaders that improved their confidence as they progress through their studies.  To read further about this opportunity for undergraduate students, please visit this page.

Hilary Clinton also joined the event with a fireside chat, discussing her experience of leadership and sharing advice.  She mentioned the challenge of social media in leadership, and technology outpacing our understanding.  Further understanding is needed, for example it is known that negative information in social media keeps attention more than positive information, as also outlined in a Nature article by Robertson et al in 2023, “Negativity drives online news consumption”.   

For women in leadership, Hilary Clinton pointed out examples of her female staff asking “do you think I can do it?” when receiving additional responsibilities and promotion, rather than accepting without question.  She herself stated “I want to be a workhorse not a show horse”.  Everyone makes mistakes but the key is to take criticism seriously but not personally. This is great advice in politics for example, where some criticism is sometimes written to judge or undermine you rather than be productive.  However legitimate criticism is useful and how we can learn and improve. You have to do the work and earn trust to lead effectively. 

Finally, Orla Corr Nixon, Pro-Chancellor of QUB and  member of senate, wrapped up the session nicely, tying everything together beautifully, stating that women are providers and helpers, who bring this to their working lives.  The event felt like a celebration, thank you for the invitation to a wonderful event.

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For further information on Athena SWAN at EEECS, please contact our SWAN champions Dr Ciara Rafferty and Dr Ayesha Khalid.