Women@Reading appoints new Co-Chair

The Women@Reading staff network has appointed a new Co-Chair who hopes to champion women’s causes for colleagues at the University.

Tharindu Liyanagunawardena, Digital Accessibility Officer, takes over the role of Co-Chair from Rachel Thorns, HR Partner, who steps down after four years in the role.

Motivated by issues like violence, misogyny, health challenges, and lack of time for wellbeing that disproportionately affect women, Tharindu aims to empower the group's members. She plans to build community by consulting members to create diverse engagement opportunities tailored to their interests and passions.

She will work to promote awareness of relevant women's issues, provide fulfilling activities, organise group volunteering projects, and tap into internal expertise to educate others. By continuing the work of her predecessors, and working with the steering group, she wants to enhance the Women@Reading’s impact for staff at the University, and beyond.

Apply to become a Co-Chair

There is still a vacancy to lead the Network alongside Tharindu. To apply, first review the role outline and email Professor Allán Laville, Dean for Diversity and Inclusion, by 29 February 2024, setting out:

• Why you’re interested in the Co-Chair role
• The relevant skills and experience you can bring to the role
• What your key priorities and vision for the Network would be

For an informal chat about what the position entails, contact Allán.

Save the date: Women’s History Month

Looking ahead, March is Women’s History Month, with lots of activity planned. Full details will follow on the Staff Portal soon, but here are details of some of the events so you can plan ahead.

• The Edith Morley Lecture (Wednesday 13 March, 18:30 – 20:00) will be given by Dr Rhian Taylor. A University of Reading Alum, Rhian is a rising star in tech, working as a manager of technological capabilities for a global pharmaceutical company. She is also passionate about diversity and inclusion in IT. She will share her journey through gender equality in IT from education, academia to industry, and envision a future where diversity and inclusivity thrive, breaking barriers for women in information technology.

• For International Women’s Day on Friday 8 March, Women@Reading will be hosting get-togethers on all of our UK campuses. Look out for details on the Staff Portal.

Other key dates for your diary include:

• Career Champions: Professor Joy Singarayer (Wednesday 6 March, 13:00 – 14:00). Join Women@Reading and the BAME+ Allies Staff Networks for this hybrid event, charting the research and career of Professor Joy Singarayer, Joint Head of the Meteorology Department
• Extraordinary stories from ordinary women (Thursday 7 March, 18:30 – 20:30). Come and meet five women who will bring extraordinary stories from their work in our community. Be ready to share a discussion of the untold but important tales of life for women in Reading today.
• Women’s Health Café (In Person at the Library Café, Tuesday 12 March, 12:00 – 13:30, and online, Wednesday 13 March, 12:30 – 13:30). Come along to our open, respectful, confidential space for a discussion with colleagues, with no pre-set agenda. Everyone is welcome.
• Votes for Women: Where do women sit in politics today? (Wednesday 20 March, 13:00 – 14:00).Join Dr Jacqui Turner, Associate Professor of Modern British Political History, for a lively discussion on women’s position in British politics both past and present and discussing why women should, and need, to vote in the next election