International Women's Day 2025

Join the Women’s Network in celebrating this year’s theme, Accelerate Action
International Women's Day 2025

University of Plymouth Women's Network

 

  • Room 605, Rolle Building

Save event
Staff and students of all genders are invited to our International Women’s Day event to celebrate the theme Accelerate Action.
Hearing from inspirational women from the University and wider community, there will be many opportunities to learn, network, engage and listen, both in the lead up and on the day itself.
See the full programme below and remember to sign up to whichever workshops you’d like. For a £2 donation to the charity First Light, we are also encouraging everyone to wear something purple on the day.

" Please use the JISC link to register your attendance and choice of workshops

Previous December 2026 Next
Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Sun
30
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3

Programme

09:15–12:00 (or 13:15 if attending workshops)
09:15–09:30 – Tea, coffee and water/registration
09:30–09:45 – Introduction from Chair of the Women’s Network, Laura Harris (and message from Professor Richard Davies , Vice-Chancellor)
09:45–10:45 – Speakers:
• Lucy Ford, Co-founder of ‘Her Game Too’ campaign and University alumnus
• Elena Brake, BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering student
• Dr Jasmine Kelland , Associate Professor of Human Resource Management
• Tania Nana, Community connector, freelance social media marketer and project coordinator
10:45–11:15 – Q&A with speakers
11:15–11:20 – Bounce! Introduction by Siwan Tyack , Head of Careers Services
11:20–11:25 Close and thanks
11:25–12:00 – Informal networking session (including tea/coffee/water and cakes) and displays of #AccelerateAction poses).

Choice of the following workshops:

11:45–13:00 | Speaking with Confidence (staff only) – Carmel Lawless
Whether you’re presenting to a hundred people, speaking up for a cause or sharing your ideas in a team meeting, feeling confident can help you to connect with your audience and communicate more effectively. But where does confidence come from? In this interactive workshop, we will take inspiration from a pop star, a politician and a plumber, practise confidence boosting techniques and explore the role of confidence in ‘accelerating action’ for ourselves and the world around us. “Confidence empowers women to talk, write, raise their hands, raise their fists, get involved in politics and even start a business” (Women’s Confidence Report)
11:45–13:15 | Bounce! Masterclass: Public Speaking – How to Speak with Impact (students only) – Katie Finnimore
This masterclass is open to students who have attended Bounce! and want to continue their developmental journey, along with those who are considering booking onto the full programme and would like to have a taster of the type of activities! This fun, friendly and interactive session will explore public speaking including how to deal effectively with nerves and how to convey your ideas clearly and confidently.
11:45–13:15 | Imposter Syndrome (staff only) – Sarah Plunkett
Imposter syndrome comes from the underlying fear that you’re not good enough. It is widespread and over 70% of people have felt some degree of it. It can harm people from all walks of life, affects both men and women and occurs across different cultures. The syndrome can affect people at different life stages and can increase or decrease in severity, depending on what's going on in your life. This friendly, informal and interactive session will explore what the syndrome is, how it can potentially impede you, along with sharing some tools that you can begin to use to begin the journey of freeing yourself from it. The session will be delivered by Sarah Plunkett, Careers Consultant for the School of Art, Design and Architecture and lead facilitator of Bounce!

#AccelerateAction with the University of Plymouth

All over the world, there are still significant barriers to gender equality. But with the right actions and support, we can create positive change for women everywhere.
This year, the theme of International Women’s Day is #AccelerateAction. Each of us can make a difference in our daily lives by challenging stereotypes, questioning bias, celebrating and supporting the successes of women, and so much more. Every single action counts.
In the spirit of this important movement, we invite all University staff and students of all genders to show their solidarity by taking part in our #AccelerateAction campaign. Strike the pose and send us your photo along with a brief statement on how you contribute to advancing gender equality. Please submit your photos and statements to womensnetwork@plymouth.ac.uk by Friday 28 February.
Your submissions will be proudly displayed at our International Women’s Day event on Friday 7 March, which we encourage you to attend, and shared on the University website following the celebration.
Let’s come together to take action, inspire change, and make a meaningful impact.
  • Hazel Cowls - IWD

    Hazel Cowls, Lecturer Adult Nursing, Deputy Programme Lead, School of Nursing and Midwifery

    I Accelerate Action by encouraging undergraduate nursing students to become leaders within healthcare
  • Laura Harris, IWD

    Laura Harris, Quality Assurance Officer and Chair of the University Staff Women's Network

    I Accelerate Action by dedicating my time and energy volunteering as Chair of the University's Women's Network. I organise useful developmental workshops, interesting events and thought-provoking feminist film screenings.
  • Amy King, IWD

    Amy King, Internal Communications Manager, Marketing and Communications

    I Accelerate Action by showing my kids that women can do and be anything. Whether it is balancing my paid work with care, or highlighting female role models in all areas of life, they are growing up aware of the hugely valuable work that all women do.
 

Event photography and video

Please be aware that some of the University of Plymouth's public events (both online and offline) may be attended by University staff, photographers and videographers, for capturing content to be used in University online and offline marketing and promotional materials, for example webpages, brochures or leaflets. If you, or a member of your group, do not wish to be photographed or recorded, please let a member of staff know.