We’re committed to building vibrant networks and communities across our universities, fostering a sense of belonging and connection throughout the region.

The White Rose Gender Equality College is one of the networks we support, comprising of members across our partner universities. Founded in 2019, the network is a group of academics, researchers and professional service staff interested in the internationality and intersectionality of gender research challenges.

In this Spotlight interview, Professor Patricia Cowell and Dr Mel Knight from the University of Sheffield share more about the college, what they have achieved so far and their plans for the future.

How did the White Rose Gender Equality College come about?

Mel Knight: The timing felt right to reach out across the White Rose universities back in 2019. As a supporter of research, I had been getting lots of questions about how to incorporate the mandatory gender requirements into Global Challenge Research Fund (GCRF) projects covering engineering fields through to health related topics. Patricia had attracted lots of attention from a talk she had given at a women’s network event and Claire Pickerden at the White Rose spotted overlapping challenges and potential synergies to create safe spaces and a knowledge bank for people to engage with.

Our trio organised a number of meetings at the different institutions and got a thumbs up to establish and develop the College.

What are the aims of the network?

Patricia Cowell: The overarching aim of the network is to provide a forum for open dialogue and peer support to promote gender equality in research topics, activities, careers, and cultures. Our remit is very much aligned with UN Strategic Development Goal 5 to achieve gender equality.

A related aim of the College is to collectively identify novel ways to address the complex issues that arise in relation to gender equality in global research settings, and to address these long-standing problems in a collegial research environment.

A final aim is to foster an atmosphere that values and welcomes the expertise and experiences of academics, researchers, and professional services colleagues, who are working in the gender equality research area – including those from early, mid and senior career stages.

What are some of the activities and events that have taken place so far?

Mel Knight: The main way for colleagues to keep engaged with each other is through the 30 minute virtual coffee meetings that we host frequently. Usually a speaker raises a piece of work or a challenge that they would like to discuss and those in attendance provide feedback.

In 2022 we undertook a project called ‘Building Understanding of Gender Equality Challenges Within Research’,  which was funded through Research England. The three strands incorporated:

1. a desktop study to create a map of organisations and networks across the World working on gender equality;
2. an in person event providing colleagues a chance to reconnect after lockdown and reflect on what the pandemic had affected regarding inequalities
3. a global virtual seminar (attendees from 9 countries) providing a series of presentations with a common thread about reflecting on our research environment, culture and experiences.

Last year, we supported a couple of activities via our connectivity fund to broaden engagement and provide opportunities for ideas exchange across disciplines and institutions.

What have been your proudest achievements so far?

Patricia Cowell: Gender equality research within the higher education sector is a relatively neglected sphere where there are challenges and barriers at every turn. So one of our proudest achievements so far is that through the seminars and activities that Mel has described, we have been able to create a positive and constructive space for dialog and action.

What are your plans for the future?

Mel Knight: We’re hoping to host an event in the late summer about how best to support and nurture each other’s work in a challenging environment. Of course lots of thought will need to be put into the format of this event to discourage overwhelm and exacerbate pressures colleagues are already facing on their time. The coffee topics for 2025 will be relaunched soon.

Why should staff at our three partner unis get involved in the network?

Patricia Cowell: It’s a chance to have some co-membership in the gender equality research space. Regardless of your specific role, your discipline, or precise area of expertise, we will provide access to seminars, discussions, events and other ways to get support and get involved.

We welcome all colleagues from the Universities of Leeds, York and Sheffield whose research, impact, knowledge exchange or professional work involves gender equality.

If any early career researchers, lecturers, professional services staff members or professors are looking for co-membership and ways to share or showcase their ideas, please get in touch we would love to hear from you.

How can staff find out more from the network?

Please contact Patricia Cowell and Melanie Knight with any questions or to join our email list.