Accelerate Action: International Women's Day 2025

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Illustration of six women, moving forward with one holding a megaphone

This event celebrates women’s achievements, emphasises the urgency of advancing gender equity and driving impactful change across all spheres of society, and makes a powerful call to #accelerateaction on gender parity.

Join us for keynote speeches, a plenary session, Q&A, and refreshments and networking.

We'll focus on:

  • actionable strategies to accelerate gender equality
  • empowering women in leadership
  • closing the gap in STEM fields.

Schedule

  • 4-4.30pm: Arrival and refreshments
  • 4.30-4.40pm: Welcome address with Dr Lucy Jones
  • 4.40-5.25pm: Keynote speakers Dr Anatu Mahama, Professor Ross Rention, Dr Esther Norton
  • 5.25-6pm: Plenary session and Q&A
  • 6-6.05pm: Closing remarks, Dr Lucy Jones
  • 6.05-6.30pm: Networking and refreshments

Keynote speakers

Dr Anatu Mahama is a lecturer in Business and Co-Academic EDI lead at ARU Peterborough. She is also the founder and editor-in-chief of The Academic Woman magazine, a dedicated magazine that spotlight women working in higher education.

Professor Ross Renton is the Principal at ARU Peterborough. He was previously Senior Pro Vice-Chancellor at the University of Worcester, where he was responsible for a number of key aspects of the student experience, widening participation, employability, and a range of partnerships and resources.

Dr Esther Norton is Assistant Principal at ARU Peterborough. Esther's areas of expertise are engineering education and innovative curriculum design. She is passionate about designing curricula that attract a diverse spectrum of people by reflecting the holistic nature of engineering and highlighting the environmental, societal, and ethical implications of engineering projects as much as the technical.

Panel members

Karolina Wlodarczyk is the Head of Export at Le Mark Group and a strong sales professional. She is Skilled in Sales, Export Administration, Account Management, Technical Translation, and Business Development.

Kelly De Jesus is a Highly Commended Course Representative of the Year, Student Ambassador at ARU, and Student Advisor at the ARU Law Clinic
Kelly is also a Community Advocate with years of experience in Public Speaking, Campaigning, and Mentorship in Peterborough.

Ayomide Adeotan is an MSc International Business Management student at ARU Peterborough. She is a student entrepreneur, the current Vice President of the Hangin’ Out Society at ARU, and a seasoned freelance volunteer with the British Heart Foundation and Oundle Road Baptist Church, Peterborough. She is passionate about empowering young women and fostering meaningful change.

Sehar Imran is an MSc International Business Management student at ARU Peterborough, a dedicated Student Ambassador, and a Peer Wellbeing Mentor. With a passion for supporting fellow students, plays an active role in creating a positive university experience and advocating for student wellbeing.

Sam Hawkins is an equity, diversity, and inclusion practitioner working in higher education, with a history of driving projects within and across organisations that generate sustainable impact, facilitate institutional-wide culture change, and enhance people's experience. He is currently Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at ARU.

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