For International Women's Day 2023 our Women's Network opened up the opportunity for colleagues to nominate a woman at the University who inspired them. In line with the International Women’s Day theme of gender equity (#embraceequity) nominations were made for women who may have forged change, elevated the visibility of women creatives, cultivated a workplace where women can thrive, improved equality for women in tech, empowered women’s health choices, or who just did incredible work. We celebrated them by sharing the reason for their nomination and their profile on International Women’s Day.
Women's Network: inspirational women
Nominations of inspirational women from the Women's Network
Dr Louise Allridge – Associate Professor in Biomedical Sciences
From the years of widening participation work to transforming access to courses, she executes EDI activities with real results. Louise makes time to listen to and support others, she deserves recognition for her positive contributions to staff morale.
Amanda Andrews – Senior Administrator Research and Innovation
Amanda has worked tirelessly to keep staff safe and supported during COVID. She has organised drop in chats, a wellbeing group, competitions, recipes and on-line dance classes. Amanda has supported many of us in our careers and deserves to be recognised.
Katie Angliss – Head of Division – Business Management at Plymouth Business School (PBS)
Katie has advanced gender equality at PBS. She has provided support and guidance to numerous women looking to advance their careers. She is also an AURORA champion and has encouraged others to utiltise AURORA mentoring opportunities.
Henrietta Blick – Employability Advisor
Henrietta is a passionate, kindhearted and overall great human being. She works extremely hard and is dedicated to her job.
Ruth Bourne – Acting Director of IT
Ruth has managed the transition and management of the department with grace. She is assertive without being overly dominant and she is well liked. She has started addressing issues that have been long standing and as a result is looked up to by staff.
Professor Laura Bowater MBE – Head of Peninsula Medical School
Laura is an inspiration and a kind, fearless leader. She is a successful, strong female microbiologist and many hope to emulate her success. She is fair and understands the true meaning of equality and aims to improve and make positive change.
Lesley Castens – Director of Library and Academic Development
Lesley demonstrates really strong collaborative working across the University and sets an amazing, visible and approachable model for women in leadership at Plymouth.
Jess Darling – Staff Networks and Outreach Officer
Jess a vital part of the EDI Team, she is motivated and passionate when it comes to encouraging equality and diversity in the University and beyond. Jess is a pleasure to work with; she is always supportive and the networks could not run without her.
The Women's Network was established in 2015 to empower women within the University and promote a culture of high performance and respect.
Karen Ellis – Senior HR Partner
Karen operates with integrity, professionalism and a quiet, reassuring strength. She is much more than her role – she is an integral asset to the University and makes sure staff are supported and can thrive.
Dr Jodie Fisher – Technical Specialist
Jodie is an absolutely incredible person. She juggles about 20 plates at once, from childcare to student support, microscopes to research projects, pollen to plankton, she is an amazing colleague and friend who will always go out of her way to help.
Hannah Foster – Student Support and Conduct Advisor
Hannah goes above and beyond for students and her colleagues. She runs and organises Talk About Sex on top of her role as well as taking any and all opportunities to be there for people, as well as being a fantastic mum.
Dr Shabnam Holiday – Associate Professor in International Relations
Shabnam is a very passionate advocate for the voices of Iranian Women and actively seeks to support staff and students to understand the challenges that are currently facing Iranian women living in Iran today and around the world.
Dr Sophie Homer – Lecturer in Psychology
Sophie communicated essential facts about psychology, loneliness and anxiety on BBC Spotlight during the COVID-19 pandemic to help the public. She is an inspirational lecturer, contributing to the Researcher Toolkit and interdisciplinary research.
Dr Jane Hudson – Lecturer in Marketing
Jane has been a genuine support in some difficult situations. She is strong and principled and fearless in the face of adversity. I admire her tenacity and ability to stick to her beliefs and to be a pillar of strength and stability for other women.
Ally James – Lecturer in Nursing
Ally strives to ensure a positive learning environment and is constantly thinking of new ways to promote student engagement, in particular using games to aid learning. Her enthusiasm in promoting nursing in Cornwall is encouraging to others.
Professor Zoë James – Professor of Criminology
Zoë has shown incredible leadership not only through her academic work but also through her integrity and collegiality. She has shown that academic seniority with values intact is possible in such a male dominant environment.
Equity isn't just a nice-to-have, it's a must-have. A focus on gender equity needs to be part of every society's DNA.
Professor Bridie Kent – Professor of Leadership Nursing
Bridie is an inspiration, passionate about the nursing profession, she returned to work in the ICU at Derriford during the early days of COVID. She makes time to sit on numerous external committees and undertakes research across a range of nursing issues.
Julie Monk – Widening Participation Officer
Julie has opened doors and changed the belief and prospects for so many pupils from disadvantaged backgrounds. The students adore her as do all that work around her. Nothing is too much for staff, students and the children of Plymouth.
Dr Daniella Oehring – Associate Professor in Optometry
Daniela is a champion of EDI, she is co-chair of Athena Swan and has set up a Health and Wellbeing Committee for staff. She is at the forefront of optometric innovation and has been instrumental in leading the way for women in device development.
Charlotte Paul – Careers and Employability Consultant
Charlotte is an incredible person, she is a brilliantly supportive colleague but also a great friend to many within the Careers Service. She consistently looks out for others and creates such an inclusive and empowering environment.
Hannah Pomeroy – Student Engagement Administrator – Mentoring
Hannah is a ray of sunshine and always kind and makes time to help everyone she interacts with. She is a fantastic team member, colleague and mother. Hannah has recently gone back to full-time hours in a higher grade and acing it.
Emma Purnell – Senior Digital Learning Designer
Through her actions, leading with integrity, striving for excellence and her quiet but strong approach Emma is an awesome ambassador for Women in Digital Education. She is supportive and encouraging and by that very nature is a fantastic role model.
Collective activism is what drives change. From grassroots action to wide-scale momentum, we can all embrace equity.
Anna Sendall – Academic Registrar
Anna is an inspiring leader who gives her time and support generously to develop other women and push them to succeed. She is a strong role model for women and demonstrates the power of collaboration in a leadership role.
Miranda Spicer – Associate Head of School – Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Miranda is a strong and inspiring woman you will learn something from even after a short time spent together. A born mentor and role model, a fighter for women and a defender of justice, she has much to offer to each of us and the world.
Dr Alicja Syska – Learning Development Advisor
Alicja consistently motivates and inspires students – and colleagues too. This is partly due to her diligence, open-mindedness and world view. She is a modern-day philanthropist and sets a shining example. She is a credit to the University.
Dr Kimberly Tam – Lecturer in Cyber Security
In addition to supervising a number of PhD students, Kimberly has mentored many international visiting researchers. Her ability to think on her feet and to come up with sensible solutions to challenges makes her an inspiration to women in technology.
Sarah Tobin – Lecturer in Adult Nursing
Sarah is the co-founder of Collaboration for Compassion in Healthcare Education. Sarah is passionate about her work and encourages others to achieve their best. She is an excellent colleague who delivers her lectures with kindness and compassion.
Pippa Waller – Careers and Employability Consultant
Pippa is an incredible person and a huge asset to the Careers Service. She creates an inclusive and empowering environment in all aspects of her work. She is a fantastic ambassador for increasing equality for women, particularly within STEM.
Ruth Way – Associate Professor in Theatre and Performance
Ruth is a tour de force who manages to balance an intense managerial workload while sustaining an energetic approach to teaching, research and creative practice. She co-ordinates a large amount of work for the department to ensure things run smoothly.
Kate Wheeler – Business Analyst
Kate is a wonderful person and an exceptional colleague. An asset in her own right; Kate also goes out of her way to assist others, ultimately ensuring that the colleagues around her also excel. She is knowledgeable, hard-working and reliable.