10 together: coffee with the women of the FASS leadership team

On Wednesday 8 March, 10 women of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) leadership team got together to commemorate International Women’s Day. The event was hosted by Louise Power, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Manager for the Guildford School of Acting (GSA).

The panel consisted of Professor Annika Bautz, Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Executive Dean of FASS; Professor Rachel Brooks, Associate Dean, Research and Innovation; Professor Bebhinn Donnelly-Lazarov, Head of School of Law; Ruth Gill, Director of Faculty Operations; Professor Amelia Hadfield, Head of Department of Politics; Karen Hearty, Faculty Finance Manager; Professor Emma Mayhew, Associate Dean (Education); Dr Catherine McNamara, Head of Guildford School of Acting; Professor Patricia Pulham, Head of School of Literature and Languages; and Professor Iis Tussyadiah, Head of the School of Hospitality and Tourism.

At the start of the evening, guests were asked to answer one poll question: ‘What single factor most helps women to build rewarding careers?’ which generated a live word cloud:

The discussion started with panel members talking about their backgrounds, and their different paths that led them to where they are now. Some knew exactly where they wanted to be, others followed their dreams, and some fell into their career almost accidentally. The conversation then shifted to what is it like working in a Faculty leadership team where the majority are women and what makes FASS a good place for women leaders.

This led to a wider discussion about whether this group of women leaders developed a culture which supports female leadership in FASS or whether that culture was already there before they stepped into their roles. The women acknowledged the contribution of men on the FASS leadership team towards the supportive and encouraging culture. The group concluded that good leadership and supportive culture does not stem from gender, but from the willingness to support each other irrespective of gender.

"The group concluded that good leadership and supportive culture does not stem from gender, but from the willingness to support each other irrespective of gender."

It was great to hear our women leaders’ views on how they, and other women, can support each other in their paths to more senior roles within FASS, and what it takes to be successful in the world of higher education.

The audience then heard what advice the panel members would give to their younger selves, which was really gripping and inspirational!

Our inspirational women

The evening closed with panel members sharing their inspirational figures:

Professor Rachel Brooks nominates Serena Williams

"Serena Williams – a fantastic athlete who has overcome both racism and sexism to help redefine women’s sport."

Ruth Gill, Director of Faculty Operations, FASS

Ruth Gill nominates Katherine Parr

"Queen Katherine Parr, because she gets less of the popular historical limelight than Henry VIII’s other wives, but from everything I have read she was clever, good and brave."

Professor Amelia Hadfield nominates Amelia Earhart

"Amelia Earhart, the American aviator, has always inspired me. Told routinely that she was the first woman to have undertaken a record-beating flight, she replied simply, ‘no, I’m just the first’. After her first solo flight across the Atlantic, she could have retired as a global icon. Instead, driven on by breath-taking levels of courage and sheer determination, she set off to cross the Pacific, never to be seen again. She set the highest of bars: 'Never do things others can do and will do, if there are things others cannot do or will not do'."

Karen Hearty nominates Stella Rimmington

"Stella Rimmington is a type of woman who inspires me and I have come across and benefitted greatly from knowing several of this type of woman in my career. This type of woman is one who reaches around, below and above her and provides support and understanding to women on a daily basis. No big gestures, just a quiet and constant way of behaving that empowers and encourages every woman to be the best version of themselves. Rimmington was the first woman to lead MI5 and the first Director General be named in the press. So, she not only did a hard job, in what was a mostly male-orientated environment at the time, she did so very publicly, unlike her male predecessors."

Professor Emma Mayhew nominates Jacinda Ardern

"She has shown the value of a leadership style defined by a combination of empathy, kindness and strength. She’s maintained this approach throughout a period in office shaped by extraordinary national and international events."