Gender Equality and Diversity Conference was successfully held on the 12th June at the University of Aberdeen. This event was organised by Dr. Thereza Raquel Sales de Aguiar and Professor Shamima Haque.
The event received the support from Prof. Keith Bender, Director of Research from the University of Aberdeen Business School, who opened the conference.
Professor Dame Heather McGreagor, as keynote speaker, gave her observation to level the plane field for women in higher education. She encouraged the development of three skills: (i) people management, (ii) knowledge on reading and interpret university’s accounts in these difficult times and (iii) develop social capital.
The conference was also supported by panellists who provided insightful discussions on the benefits and challenges of a collaborative approach between funding bodies, awards/Athena SWAN and accreditations to tackle gender equality and diversity in higher education. Special thanks to panellists and moderators for sharing their viewpoints.
Professor Lesley Anderson (university of Aberdeen - Director of the Interdisciplinary Institute)
- Prof. Keith Bender (University of Aberdeen – Business School Director of Research)
- Maggie Chapman (Scottish Parliament - MSP)
- Prof. John Finch (University of Glasgow)
- Dr. Maria-Grazia Cascio (University of Aberdeen – Senior Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Partner)
- Dr. Pavel Ovseiko (University of Oxford – Deputy Chair of the Athena SWAN Governance Committee) -
- Dr. Asha Venkatesh (University of Aberdeen - Athena SWAN/EDI lead for the Medical School)
- Dr. Eva Pocher (Education lead for the Equality, Diversity & Inclusion committee at the Business School)
- Dr Muhammed Bolomope (University of Aberdeen – PRIME)
- Ms. Selma Carson (University of Aberdeen – AACSB)
- Dr. Craig Robinson (Kings’ College of London - Associate Dean, Quality, Enhancement and Accreditation) - Online
- Dr Geethanjali Selvaretnam (University of Glasgow - Chair of CABS Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee)
- Ms. Fiona Stoddard (University of Aberdeen – Director of Student Experience for the Business School)
Presenters brought alive many relevant issues in higher education by discussing their research on access to education, leadership in education as well as inequalities and identities in academic career. Many organisations in the UK and abroad were represented at the conference including: University of Aberdeen, University of Dundee, University of St. Andrews, University of Strathclyde, University of Sheffield, Surrey University, Independent University (Bangladesh), University of Rijeka (Croatia), University of Bern (Switzerland), Indian Institute of Technology (India), Banaras Hindu University (India) and the Department of Higher Education, Government of Madhya Pradesh (India). Their input to the conference was invaluable.
The organising team extends its sincere thanks to all delegates, panellists, presenters, and session chairs who contributed to the day's success. Special appreciation goes to Nick Hindley and Lucy Derry for their invaluable assistance in organising the event.
GED Conference was a space for sharing, cheering, and discovering.
Acknowledgement: We are grateful for the funding we have received from the University of Aberdeen Business School to run this conference. We also deeply acknowledge and appreciate the insightful guidance and exceptional support provided by Prof Stephanie Morgan, to organise this conference.