Monthly meetings for women – University of Leeds Faculty of Engineering

As part of their work to promote Gender Equality in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) faculties, the University of Leeds surveyed and conducted a series of focus group activities for prospective female researchers in engineering.  After in-depth and informal feedback was collected, logged and analysed, one of the first events to come to fruition in response to this feedback was the establishment of ‘The First Tuesday Club', a network group for women in Science, Engineering and Technology, who now meet once a month at lunchtime.

These monthly meetings include speakers who offer advice, support and share their experiences of developing a career as a woman in Science, Engineering and Technology. Most importantly these meetings allow women the opportunity to raise and address any concerns they have in a mutually supportive environment and to network with other female colleagues from across disciplines. At these monthly meetings various staff members at different grades have spoken about topics such as:

• promotion opportunities
• adoption
• maternity.

These issues can, potentially, adversely affect the career aspirations of women. Attendance averages between 25 and 30 women from postgraduate level through to professorial, and the meetings are also open to technicians and clerical staff, thus allowing women to network at all levels.

After 9 months of meetings a feedback survey was launched to establish the views of attendees, including asking them whether they have benefitted from attending, and if not why not and what else they would like to see at the meetings. The results will be collated and analysed.

While the project isn't funded, the university Equality and Diversity team support the group with an appropriate venue to hold meetings, publicity and a web presence.

 Learning points/evaluation

• Good championship by senior academics in the University has been crucial in advancing it