The IC Global Café: Accelerate Action: Allyship for a Gender Equal World

“Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively for #IWD2025 we can all #AccelerateAction.”

As policies and perspectives on women’s rights continue to evolve across different parts of the world, it remains essential to address all forms of intersectional discrimination that women may encounter. Achieving meaningful progress, however, requires the engagement of everyone, including the other 50% of the population – our male allies and colleagues – who share a commitment to equity. By working together, we can build new partnerships and develop initiatives that create positive change for all, regardless of how they identify.

This IC Café will introduce the latest research and insights on allyship, sharing key factors that contribute to more successful initiatives. We are especially keen to hear from IC Global community members and colleagues about their work in this area and on equity more generally. We look forward to an engaging and interactive discussion.

EXPERT SPEAKERS

Prof. Christina Hughes,

Founder & CEO, Women Space & an IC Global Fellow

Named as a “Woman of Influence 2023” in Baroness Sandy Verma’s annual list, Christina has executive leadership experience in both research and teaching intensive universities having been Pro-Vice Chancellor at the University of Warwick, Provost at Sheffield Hallam University and Interim Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Kent. She is also an internationally leading feminist educator and researcher with over 15 books to her name with a £1.6m achievement in external research grant capture. Throughout her career Christina has mentored and coached many women, and men, at all levels of university life. She holds ILM Level 7 qualification in Executive Coaching and Mentoring, is an accredited StrengthsProfile coach and a member of the Institute of Learning and Management. Christina is a Visiting Professor at Coventry University and an Honorary Professor at the University of Kent. She is also an Honorary Fellow of the Warwick International Higher Education Academy which she set up; a lifetime fellow of the Gender and Education Association in recognition of her role as inaugural co-chair; and external advisor for EDI for the Association of British Chinese Professors. Christina has also been a Governor at Leeds Beckett University; a Trustee for Villiers Park Educational Trust and a Trustee for the Royal Society of the Arts Academies.

Marie Sams

Head of National Centre for Research Culture at University of Warwick

As a woman with 24+ years’ experience in higher education (HE), Marie’s career, like many others, has been chaotic at times! Being a mum to two children and a leukaemia survivor has resulted in time out of the workplace, and changes in career direction (both forced and opportunistic). However, this has meant gaining experience in both academic and professional roles which has been invaluable in gaining insight into the mechanics, politics and culture of university life. Marie is passionate about women’s opportunities to gain better access to leadership roles in HE, which was the focus of her recent Doctorate – a large part of which was about more, and better allyship. Marie’s most recent career move was as the Head of the National Centre for Research Culture at the University of Warwick, which aims to facilitate collaboration to address research culture challenges.