International Women's Day 2023

 News 

Bath Spa University celebrates International Women’s Day

Wednesday, 8 March, 2023

International Women’s Day falls on the 8 March each year, and has been celebrated across the world since the early 1900s. Its aim was to provide a forum for women to campaign for equality and women’s rights.

It has since evolved to today, where thousands of events are held throughout the world to recognise the progress that has been made and to inspire women and celebrate their achievements.

This year’s theme is Embrace Equity, which aims to get the world talking about why equal opportunities aren't enough. People start from different places, so true inclusion and belonging require equitable action.

At Bath Spa:

• 56.9% of all staff identify as women
• 50% of our professors identify as women (compared with a 28.5% sector average)
• 67.6% of our students identify as women (compared with 57.7% sector average)
• 60% of Bath Spa Leadership team identifies as women

Bath Spa has celebrated International Women’s Day with a number of initiatives.

Brunch

Starting with a brunch last week, where women from all departments of the University were invited to talk and meet and enjoy breakfast together, we got a head start on celebrating International Women’s Day.

The event was open to all members of the Women’s Network and any staff members who wanted to join, no matter how they identified. The morning was spent celebrating just some of our incredible Bath Spa women.

Talk

Students and staff enjoyed an online talk titled “In conversation with Sheree Palmer and April McMahon.” Speaking on the topic of "If not now, when?" Sheree Palmer, Head of Access and Student Success for the University of Manchester and a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, chatted with Professor April McMahon.

April is the Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students at the University of Manchester and has held leadership roles at several UK universities for more than 20 years. They will discuss their personal experiences on creating opportunities and bouncing over obstacles to achieve personal and professional goals.

She's Got Game podcast

A brand new podcast series which celebrates women in sport has also launched today. A team from Bath Spa's Film, Television and Digital Production course have produced a brand-new series of five podcasts themed around women in sport.

Presented by Senior Lecturer Lizzie Powell, the first season of She's Got Game is being published on Wednesday for International Women’s Day. 

The interviewees are a mixture of local and national sports stars including:   

• Millie Wood, Rugby, plays for England, Gloucester-Hartpury and Barbarians 
• Hannah Hampton, Football, plays for England and Aston Villa 
• Tash Pavelin, Netball, plays for England and Bath 
• Tara Taylor, Football , plays for Bath City Women 
• Brittany Lattanzio, Esports, Senior Esports Manager for Team Liquid   

The podcasts were produced by Ed Tristram, Senior Lecturer, and sound engineered by Francesca Price-Smith, third year student. The podcasts are live on streaming platforms.

Be Open podcast

"I do beep when I go through scanners, it's annoying."

Why does Neetu beep? Come find out in this exclusive first introduction episode, where Meg and Neetu interview each other so you can get to know them.

Be Open is a monthly podcast, hosted by Meg and Neetu, produced by Bath Spa University and Bath Spa University's Students' Union. On this podcast they will be speaking to guests with actual lived experiences of race, gender, sexuality and all things equality and diversity.

All thoughts and opinions expressed in the podcast are that of the speakers and not Bath Spa University or its Students' Union. Be Open can be found on streaming platforms. 

Commemorative Plaques

Two of Bath Spa’s most celebrated women were commemorated with a ceremonial plaque unveiling at the Amphitheatre at Newton Park campus last week. Hilary Mantel and Fay Weldon were known as two of the greatest contemporary writers and adored among the Bath Spa community.

Professor Weldon received an Honorary Degree from Bath Spa University in 1999 and was appointed Professor of Creative Writing in 2012. Hilary Mantel was awarded an Honorary Doctorate from Bath Spa in 2012. These two incredible authors are both an example and an inspiration.