how we choose to challenge
From academics and colleagues, to students and graduates, find out more about what 'choose to challenge' means to female members of our university community.
Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
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LS1 3HE
INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY and WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH
Throughout March, we celebrate women from across our university community who have helped to forge a more gender-equal society.Â
For Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, which takes place on Monday 8 March, the university will recognise the students, colleagues and graduates who have fought for change and tackled societal perceptions. This year’s IWD theme is #ChooseToChallenge, and while many of those highlighted below have managed to excel in their chosen fields, it is also important to remember the many women who ‘choose to challenge’ perceptions and help further the cause for equality on a daily basis.
There are effective and inspirational women working in leadership roles across every part of health and social care. They have been an integral part of our response to the Covid-19 pandemic, leading advances in risk reduction, diagnosis, treatment, and care of those affected. As women leaders we have a vital role to play in addressing societal challenges and our recovery from them.
Professor Claire Surr
Professor
You don't need to be PERFECT. You don't need to be BETTER THAN. Be as good as and let your skills and experience make a job uniquely yours: your magic can't be captured in any job spec.
Professor Jayne Raisborough
Professor
Leeds Beckett Graduates
From sailing trailblazers, to eco-friendly tourism leaders, graduates from Leeds Beckett are choosing to challenge perceptions in today's society. Read about their stories and what IWD means to them.
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![Woman holding the helm of a yacht]()
"If I have sensed resistance to anything I have wanted to do because I am a woman.."
Dee Caffari MBE First woman to sail single-handed and non-stop around the world in both directions. -
![Denise Jagger]()
"Choose to Challenge is an excellent theme, it takes courage for women and men to challenge accepted norms."
Denise Jagger Portfolio Non-Executive Director -
![Lord Mayor Councillor Jane Dowson]()
"We still have a long way to go to improve the lives of women and girls both in this country and internationally."
Jane Dowson Labour Councillor for Chapel Allerton Ward Chief Whip -
![Graduate and Honorary Graduate Sharon Watson speaking to others]()
"Embracing International Women’s Day is a moment in time when we can unapologetically acknowledge the many women whose courage and actions impact the change we want to see."
Sharon Watson MBE Principal of the Northern School of Contemporary Dance -
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"Covid-19 created more challenges for the world, Shantona has faced extra challenges but at Shantona we still #choosetochallenge."
Nahid Rasool CEO of Shantona Women's Centre -
![Vicky Smith tourism]()
"Promoting tourism that delivers locally on the sustainable development goals, gender equality and female empowerment (SDG5) in destinations around the world is a key focus for us."
Vicky Smith Founder of sustainable tourism company, Earth Changers
blogs and opinion
Read selected conversations and blogs from students, academics and graduates whose work has helped to progress the fight for gender equality in their own fields.
#WECAN
Led by Leeds Beckett University, the three-year #WECAN (Women Empowered through Coaching and Networking) project aims to enhance the resilience and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) by building the leadership skills, capabilities and opportunities of women in the Leeds City Region.
Student work
A BRIEF HISTORY OF FEMALE CHALLENGERS
Throughout modern history, there are countless women who have made crucial contributions to equality, progress and empowerment. Often, the contributions of these women is overlooked. Read and listen to more about their stories through a series of blogs and podcasts written by final year BA (Hons) History students.
Women of the Leeds Blitz
In 2020 students from the BA (Hons) History course researched the impact of the bombing of Leeds in 1941. One of the research strands was the impact on and role played by the women of Leeds.
research
Read more about the ground-breaking research of Leeds Beckett academics, which has helped to progress gender equity across sport, public relations and more.
We focus on the overarching theme of ‘experiences of ageing’, including the types of role women actors are offered, the access they have to work in their chosen profession, the presence of older women actors on stage and screen, and in positions of power within the creative industries, and their experiences of embodied ageing.
Professor Susan Watkins
Professor
Many women coaches, at the senior levels of the coaching pathway, have the responsibility, but none of the autonomy.
Professor Leanne Norman
Professor
Beckett Talks....
Beckett Talks are published regularly across a range of podcast platforms, sharing the experiences and expertise of our academic, student and graduate communities. For Women's History Month we are highlighting the work of some of our female colleagues and how their work is impacting women across the globe.
Breaking out of stereotypes
You've been given one life and one body, why would you ever let the anti-aging industry dictate how you feel about it?" Professsor Jayne Raisborough of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences shares her research on the role of imagination in breaking free from harmful stereotypes, ageism and body shaming.
How sport can empower women in Kenya
In a country where opportunity is so tied to education, girls are frequently left behind due to their cultural and economic circumstances. Senior Lecturer at the Carnegie School of Sport, Dr Lisa O’Keeffe explains how sports programmes are providing new growth and leadership opportunities for young women in Kenya to discover and use their potential.
Spotlight on Research: Celebrating Women Researchers
Dr Louisa Ashley, Head of Subject at Leeds Law School, is in conversation with four of her colleagues to find out more about their research. Join them as they discuss perspectives on vulnerability and sexual assault, therapeutic jurisprudence and problem solving courts, show trials and fishing.
Ethnicity and health
Public health nutritionist Dr Maria Maynard from the School of Health shares how she works across disciplines to remove the systematic barriers that make it harder for people to improve their health outcomes.
