Women’s Network
We advocate for women's interests, support and develop the ambitions of women, and engage the University community in our agenda.
Our mission
The purpose of our network is to empower all those working across the University who identify as women, regardless of grade or job role. Our network exists to accelerate change and foster a sense of community and we aim to recognise women’s achievements and enhance career and personal development through initiatives including events, communications, and resource sharing.
Join Us
If you would like to join the network and help make the voice of women stronger, you can request to our join Microsoft Women's Network Team site to hear about latest Surrey initiatives, news, and to connect to your colleagues. This is open to all staff who identify as women, as well as postgraduate research students.
#InspireInclusion with Surrey Women’s Network
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2024, Surrey Women’s Network invite you to join a panel of three inspirational colleagues to speak about empowerment, encouragement and connection.
This event will be introduced and chaired by Professor Annika Bautz, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences and Executive Board sponsor of our University's Women's Network, Annika will also provide an update on the University’ vision for fostering equity and inclusivity for staff here at Surrey.
To join the online discussion, join our Women's Network and login to the event on Wed 5th March at 12:00-13:00
#BreakTheBias with Surrey Women’s Network
To celebrate International Women’s Day 2022, Surrey Women’s Network invited a panel of three inspirational colleagues to speak about what they do at Surrey, how they got to where they are in their careers, any biases they faced along the way, and how they overcame them.
Dr Katherine Hubbard, Lina Maria Cardona Naranjo and Dr Kate Gleeson tell us about their careers and offer an illuminating insight into the diverse range of roles undertaken by women at Surrey. With an introduction from Academic Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Emily Williams, and Chief People Officer, Will Davies.
Our logo
The Women's Network logo was chosen with the colour scheme of purple and green as a nod to the suffragette movement who campaigned for the rights of women, and we hope it captures the networks values and ambitions.
- Purple: the colour of dignity and loyalty
- Green: the colour of hope
Meet the steering group
The steering group is composed of a group of women from different disciplines and departments, working together to implement the network's aims.
Co-Chair
Dr Hannah Frith
Associate Professor in Psychology
Biography
Hannah Frith is an Associate Professor in the School of Psychology where she supervises postgraduate research on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology programme. Hannah is actively involved in the Psychology of Women and Equalities Section of the British Psychological Society and her research draws on interdisciplinary theory and research to examine the intersections of sexuality, gender and embodiment using creative qualitative research methods. Hannah is a Senior Fellow of the HEA, and has previously worked at the Universities of Northampton, West of England and Brighton before joining Surrey in 2020. Hannah is a passionate advocate of women’s career development and her research and other activities champions gender equality including the intersection of gender with other marginalised social identities.
Co-Chair
Rachel Stead
Lecturer
Biography
Rachel Stead is a Lecturer in Learning Development in the School of Health Sciences, where she leads the Foundation Programme for Nursing. She is also a Learning Development Adviser in Academic Skills and Development in the Library. Rachel is a Senior Fellow of the HEA and prior to working at Surrey taught English for Academic Purposes in universities in the UK and Sydney, the latter where she studied for her MA Applied Linguistics
Analytics / Website
Laura Theurich
Research Bid Development Manager
Biography
Laura Theurich is a Research Bid Development Manager working within Research Strategy. Previously she worked in Research and Innovation supporting research applications as part of the Surrey Pre-Award team. Laura studied MSci Geophysics in the UK and Canada, followed by a career in the marine energy sector working in both technical and project manager roles. After a brief period working for NERC managing research programmes onboard their vessels, Laura moved to the University of Surrey to continue to support academic research.
Analytics / University group rep
Jessica Johnson
Research Facilitation Officer (FEPS)
Biography
Jess Johnson (she/her) has worked at Surrey for over 15 years, across three different faculties. In her current role as Research Facilitation Officer, she supports researchers in engineering and physical sciences, from bid mentoring early-career researchers to helping senior staff implement strategic priorities. She has also worked for Elsevier and acted as external reviewer for Jisc and the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Jess studied English Literature and English Language in Germany and in the UK and obtained her MA in English Language from the University of the West of England. Her interests lie in textual analysis, with a focus on Anglo-German relations.
Jess is passionate about equality and diversity and creating more inclusive working environments for everyone. She originally co-chaired the Women’s Network prior to going on maternity leave and has returned to an active role on the steering group.
Development
Rana Marrington
Careers Advisor (PGR and ECR)
Events / Communications
Vicky Paterson
Learning and Development Specialist
Biography
Vicky Paterson (she/her) is a Learning and Development Specialist within the Organisational Development team working with staff across the University. Vicky has worked at the University of Surrey for over 4 years within staff development and equality, diversity and inclusion. After gaining a BSc in Psychology, she worked in marketing and business development before joining Surrey and is now an Associate CIPD, qualified Learning and Development Consultant. Vicky is passionate about providing EDI and learning solutions that recognise the value of each individual, enabling and supporting them to reach their full potential and bring excellence to the organisation. Also, to help everyone understand how they can contribute to creating a culture of equality.
University group rep
Babs MacLean
Senior Administrative Officer (Clinical Placements)
Professor Monique Raats
Co-Director, Institute for Sustainability; Professor; Director of the Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health Research Centre; School of Psychology Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Lead
Biography
I am a founding Co-Director of the University's Institute for Sustainability, and director of the Food, Consumer Behaviour and Health (FCBH) Research Centre. Together with the university’s Department of Nutritional Sciences, FCBH was awarded the prestigious 2017/2018 Queen’s Anniversary Prize. FCBH research domains include:
- food-related behaviour and policy interventions to achieve sustainable and healthy lifestyles;
- social, policy and ethical issues relevant to the grand societal challenges such as sustainability and obesity;
- study of food systems from the perspective of significant actors and stakeholders within the system; and
- methodologically advancing food consumer science through exploring novel data sources and methods of data linking.
I previously worked at the Institute of Food Research (now Quadram Institute), Health Education Authority and University of Oxford. My expertise is in the area of public health and behavioural nutrition research, gained on a variety of projects. My research is wide ranging both in terms of topics covered (e.g. food choice, policy development, food safety) and methodologies used (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, stakeholder consultation). I have also been involved in the evaluation of health promotion programmes and developing tools for use in nutrition education. To date I have published over 145 refereed papers, numerous non-refereed publications including 20 book chapters 20 book chapters and have edited two books ("The Psychology of Food Choice" (2006) and "Food for the Ag(e)ing Population" (1st edition 2009; 2nd edition 2016).
From 2011 until June 2018 I was a member of UK's Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition (SACN) and also a member of the Subgroup on Maternal and Child Nutrition (SMCN) from 2012 until June 2018.
I am one of the founding members, member of the Board of Directors (2001-2006) and was secretary (2004-2006) of the International Society of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity. The society was set up to combine interests in diet and physical activity; and to stimulate, promote and advocate innovative research and policy in the area. The society now plays an important role in fostering excellence in research in this field through its annual meetings and journal called the International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity.
Resources
Women's Higher Education Network
Surrey is a member of the Women's Higher Education Network (WHEN), meaning anyone from our community can sign up.
Springboard work and personal development training course for women
Springboard is the award-winning, globally recognised, personal development programme for women. The aim is to enable women to develop personally by learning and thinking deeply about their skills, their values, their world, skills for assertiveness; how to network, to put themselves across positively, build personal image and set goals.
At the end of the four-day programme, women testify to increased levels of confidence; increased ability to create and embrace change; strive for new qualifications, promotion and how to achieve new skills and develop fresh attitudes.
Springboard is run once a year and is open to women at all levels and all job families, offering a unique opportunity to work and network with a range of colleagues from across the University community.
If you have any questions or would like any further information please contact Jo McCarthy-Holland.
Learning and development opportunities at Surrey
Find out about Learning and development opportunities for staff on SurreyNet.
Podcasts/TED talks
- WHEN: If Not Now
- Brené Brown: The power of vulnerability
- Brené Brown: Listening to shame
- I Weigh with Jameela Jamil
- You're Dead To Me, Mary Wollstonecraft - BBC Radio 4
Book recommendations
Get in touch
If you have any questions about the Women's Network or would like to join, you can contact us at women@surrey.ac.uk.
Request to our join Microsoft Teams' Women's Network team.