Women’s Network
We advocate for women's interests, support and develop the ambitions of women, and engage the University community in our agenda.
Our mission
The purpose of our network is to empower all those working across the University who identify as women, regardless of grade or job role. Our network exists to accelerate change and foster a sense of community and we aim to recognise women’s achievements and enhance career and personal development through initiatives including events, communications, and resource sharing.
Join Us
If you would like to join the network and help make the voice of women stronger, you can request to our join Microsoft Women's Network Team site to hear about latest Surrey initiatives, news, and to connect to your colleagues. This is open to all staff who identify as women, as well as postgraduate research students.
Our logo
The Women's Network logo was chosen with the colour scheme of purple and green as a nod to the suffragette movement who campaigned for the rights of women, and we hope it captures the networks values and ambitions.
- Purple: the colour of dignity and loyalty
- Green: the colour of hope
Meet the steering group
The steering group is composed of a group of women from different disciplines and departments, working together to implement the network's aims.
Co-Chair
Dr Hannah Frith
Associate Professor in Psychology
Biography
Hannah Frith is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology where she supervises postgraduate research on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme. Hannah is actively involved in the Psychology of Women and Equalities Section of the British Psychological Society and her research draws on interdisciplinary theory and research to examine the intersections of sexuality, gender and embodiment using creative qualitative research methods. Hannah is a Senior Fellow of the HEA, and has previously worked at the Universities of Northampton, West of England and Brighton before joining Surrey in 2020. Hannah is a passionate advocate of women’s career development and her research and other activities champions gender equality including the intersection of gender with other marginalised social identities.
Co-Chair
Rachel Stead
Lecturer
Biography
Rachel Stead is a Lecturer in Learning Development in the School of Health Sciences, where she leads the Foundation Programme for Nursing. She is also a Learning Development Adviser in Academic Skills and Development in the Library. Rachel is a Senior Fellow of the HEA and prior to working at Surrey taught English for Academic Purposes in universities in the UK and Sydney, the latter where she studied for her MA Applied Linguistics
Analytics / Website
Laura Theurich
Research Bid Development Manager
Biography
Laura Theurich is a Research Bid Development Manager working within Research Strategy. Previously she worked in Research and Innovation supporting research applications as part of the Surrey Pre-Award team. Laura studied MSci Geophysics in the UK and Canada, followed by a career in the marine energy sector working in both technical and project manager roles. After a brief period working for NERC managing research programmes onboard their vessels, Laura moved to the University of Surrey to continue to support academic research.
Development
Rana Marrington
Careers Advisor (PGR and ECR)
Events / Communications
Vicky Paterson
Learning and Development Specialist
Biography
Vicky Paterson (she/her) is a Learning and Development Specialist within the Organisational Development team working with staff across the University. Vicky has worked at the University of Surrey for over 4 years within staff development and equality, diversity and inclusion. After gaining a BSc in Psychology, she worked in marketing and business development before joining Surrey and is now an Associate CIPD, qualified Learning and Development Consultant. Vicky is passionate about providing EDI and learning solutions that recognise the value of each individual, enabling and supporting them to reach their full potential and bring excellence to the organisation. Also, to help everyone understand how they can contribute to creating a culture of equality.
University group rep
Babs MacLean
Senior Administrative Officer (Clinical Placements)
Professor Monique Raats
Professor; Director of the Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre
Biography
Professor Monique Raats is a senior academic and research leader with more than 35 years of experience in developing interdisciplinary research, securing external funding, and translating evidence into policy, practice and societal impact. Originally trained as a nutrition scientist, she has built an internationally recognised interdisciplinary research portfolio spanning behavioural and social sciences, public health, health services research, healthy ageing, sustainability, governance and implementation.
Professor Raats is an inclusive, evidence-led leader with extensive experience directing large multidisciplinary programmes and fostering collaborations across universities, government, healthcare, social care, industry and international organisations. She previously served as Founding Co-Director of the University of Surrey's Institute for Sustainability and as Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, where she led research strategy, infrastructure development and cross-faculty/university collaboration.
She is Director of the Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health (FCBH) Research Centre, one of Europe's leading centres for interdisciplinary food-related research. Together with the Department of Nutritional Sciences, FCBH was awarded the prestigious 2017/2018 Queen’s Anniversary Prize in recognition of its internationally outstanding research and impact.
Research
Professor Raats' research focuses on understanding how individuals, organisations and systems influence food-related behaviours, health outcomes and sustainable lifestyles. Her work integrates behavioural, social, policy and systems perspectives to address major societal challenges including healthy ageing, obesity, public health, food security and sustainability.
Key areas of research include:
- Behavioural and policy interventions that support healthier and more sustainable lifestyles
- Social, ethical and governance dimensions of food, health and sustainability challenges
- Food systems research that examines the interactions of stakeholders across complex food environments
- Innovation in food consumer science through new data sources, data linkage methods and interdisciplinary approaches
- Public health nutrition and the implementation of evidence into policy and practice
Her research has employed a wide range of qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods approaches and has informed policy development, health promotion initiatives and stakeholder engagement across multiple sectors.
Career and Scholarly Contributions
Prior to joining the University of Surrey, Professor Raats held positions at the Institute of Food Research (now the Quadram Institute), Health Education Authority and University of Oxford.
She has published more than 160 peer-reviewed journal articles, numerous professional and policy publications, over 20 book chapters, and has co-edited two influential volumes:
- The Psychology of Food Choice (2006)
- Food for the Ageing Population (1st edition 2009; 2nd edition 2016)
Her work has contributed significantly to the development of behavioural nutrition, food choice research, healthy ageing and public health policy.
National and International Leadership
From 2011 to 2018, Professor Raats served on the UK Government's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and was a member of its Subgroup on Maternal and Child Nutrition, contributing evidence and expertise to national nutrition policy and guidance.
She is also a founding member of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. Between 2001 and 2006 she served on the Society's Board of Directors and was Secretary from 2004 to 2006. ISBNPA has become the leading international learned society for researchers working at the intersection of diet, physical activity, behaviour and health, and supports excellence in research through its annual congress and the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.
University group rep
Sarah Dolman
Lecturer in Biosciences
Biography
Sarah is a lecturer in biosciences on the biosciences foundation year programme. Sarah studied her BSc in Equine Science and Business, followed by her research masters exploring animal behaviour and welfare. After her studies, Sarah has spent time lecturing in both equine and animal science as well as student academic development at Hartpury University and the Royal Veterinary College.
University group rep
Dr Marie Martel
Lecturer in Developmental Psychology
Biography
In August 2023, I joined the University of Surrey as a lecturer. During my post-doctoral experiences, I worked under the guidance of Scott Glover (2019 - 2023) at Royal Holloway University of London, funded by the Leverhulme Trust, and Tobias Heed (2016 - 2018) at the University of Bielefeld (Germany). My PhD, awarded in December 2016, was under the supervision of Alice Catherine Roy (Laboratory Dynamique du Language, Lyon) and in collaboration with Alessandro Farnè (ImpAct Team, Lyon Neuroscience Research Center).
University Group Rep
Sam Jones
Head of Events
Resources
Women's Higher Education Network
Surrey is a member of the Women's Higher Education Network (WHEN), meaning anyone from our community can sign up.
Springboard work and personal development training course for women
Springboard is the award-winning, globally recognised, personal development programme for women. The aim is to enable women to develop personally by learning and thinking deeply about their skills, their values, their world, skills for assertiveness; how to network, to put themselves across positively, build personal image and set goals.
At the end of the four-day programme, women testify to increased levels of confidence; increased ability to create and embrace change; strive for new qualifications, promotion and how to achieve new skills and develop fresh attitudes.
Springboard is run once a year and is open to women at all levels and all job families, offering a unique opportunity to work and network with a range of colleagues from across the University community.
If you have any questions or would like any further information please contact Jo McCarthy-Holland.
Learning and development opportunities at Surrey
Find out about Learning and development opportunities for staff on SurreyNet.
Podcasts/TED talks
- WHEN: If Not Now
- Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability
- Brené Brown: Listening to shame
- I Weigh with Jameela Jamil
- You're Dead To Me, Mary Wollstonecraft - BBC Radio 4
Book recommendations
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the Women's Network or would like to join, you can contact us at women@surrey.ac.uk.
Request to our join Microsoft Teams' Women's Network team.