University scheme aims to address gender inequality

A new mentoring scheme aimed at helping more women get into senior roles in higher education and reach their potential will be launched by Sheffield Hallam University on International Women's Day (8 March).

The Professorial Mentoring Scheme will give female academics that are looking to progress their careers to professor level the opportunity to be mentored by someone already at that level.  They can then meet regularly to discuss career pathways, offer mentoring and coaching advice, plus give other guidance about what academics need to do to get to the top.

The gender pay gap has attracted widespread attention recently, with men reportedly earning 20% more than women in similar roles in higher education.  Therefore there are significant equality issues for the sector to address, and it is hoped that this scheme will be a step in the right direction to address inequality.

Professor Nicola Woodroofe is head of the University’s Biomedical Research Centre and lead representative on the Women Professors’ Group. She said: "In subjects like biosciences women make up 62% of the student population.  Yet only 40% of academics in the discipline are women. At a more senior level the picture is even more unequal. Across the country fewer than 20% of professors are female, and in science and technology subjects the figure is even less.

"We hope that this scheme, which has already provoked significant interest from many of the University's academics, will provide opportunities for women to reach their potential."

The scheme will be launched at an event at the University's City Campus on 8 March, in which Professor Dianne Willcocks, vice chair of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, will give a talk about her career pathway to becoming a university vice chancellor. She collected an honorary doctorate from Sheffield Hallam in November last year.

Sheffield Hallam has recently appointed two women onto its executive leadership group.  Professor Karen Bryan took up her role as Pro-Vice Chancellor for the Faculty of Health and Well-being on 1 February.  And Tracey Lancaster will take up her role as Director of the newly created Directorate of Corporate Affairs on 18 March.

For press information contact: Ally Mogg on 0114 225 2811 or email pressoffice@shu.ac.uk