#BalanceforBetter – celebrating International Women’s Day

Staffordshire University is inviting the public to celebrate International Women’s Day with free public talks by top female academics

Lady Justice statue beside the words '#BalanceforBetter: Walking the Tightrope.'

Dr Laura Walton-Williams' public lecture takes place on 7 March

At Staffordshire University, we actively recognise and enable the skills, talents and contributions of all our colleagues and students.

Gillian Granger, Head of Equality & Diversity

The theme of this year’s International Women’s Day #BalanceforBetter calls for a more gender-balanced world and events on campus next week will reflect this.

On Monday 4 March, Dr Jacky Forsyth hosts the latest Profs in the Pav talk and explores why research on the exercising female still falls short of that carried out on males despite the growth in women’s participation in sport and exercise.

Jacky is a keen advocate for females in the sports industry and is also hosting a careers networking event on Friday 8 March for women hoping to work in the sector.

On Thursday 7 March, Dr Laura Walton-Williams will continue to challenge bias and promote gender equality a year on from her #ItsNotOkay public lecture.

Laura’s research into sexual assault investigations has taken her across the globe and in #BalanceforBetter Walking the Tightrope she addresses how misconceptions relating to gender impact on the reporting and prosecution of sexual offences.

Ahead of the lecture, Staffordshire University will officially launch its membership with the Athena SWAN charter which recognises and celebrates good practices in the advancement of gender equality.

Gillian Granger, Head of Equality & Diversity, said: “At Staffordshire University, we actively recognise and enable the skills, talents and contributions of all our colleagues and students.

“The launch of our Athena SWAN membership shows our official dedication to ensuring an inclusive environment, where every member of the University community is empowered to be themselves.”

“It is only fitting to launch this alongside our International Women’s Day activity where we are hearing about the fantastic work that academics like Jacky and Laura are doing to tackle inequality.”

To book a place on either of the below events please email comms@staffs.ac.uk or for more information visit www.staffs.ac.uk/events.

  • The Exercising Female by Dr Jacky Forsyth takes place at 5.30pm - 7.30pm on Monday 4 March Pavilion Fusion Cafe, Staffordshire University College Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DE
  • #BalanceforBetter Walking the Tightrope by Dr Laura Walton-Williamstakes place at 5.30pm - 7.30pm, Thursday 7 March, Science Centre Leek Road, Stoke-on-Trent, ST4 2DF

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