Our research

Understanding Women’s Experiences in Academia

We survey all training participants before and after their workshops. Building on our previous work, the questionnaire now includes recognised measures that help us understand:

• women’s participation in research
• involvement in leadership activities
• employability and career development
• overall career capital

This allows us to measure progress and identify where support is most needed.

Listening to Stakeholders and Shaping Policy

Throughout the project, we meet and interview key figures across higher education to better understand the challenges and opportunities surrounding women’s leadership.
We share emerging findings through networking events and a policy brief outlining:

• barriers to women’s leadership
• practical actions institutions can take
• policy recommendations for creating meaningful, sustainable change

Creating National Dialogue

We host online roundtable events to open conversations across the sector. These sessions raise awareness about the value of women’s leadership—especially in STEM and other underrepresented fields—while encouraging collaboration and shared solutions.

Sharing Insights Across the Sector

Using staff mobility opportunities, we present our findings and policy recommendations to:

• senior leaders at partner universities
• representatives from Ukraine’s Ministry of Education
• organisations involved in gender equity initiatives

Our long‑established links through the UoR–NUBiP partnership help us reach influential stakeholders across Ukraine.

Supporting Women’s Career Development

Throughout the project, we actively identify and promote opportunities for women academics to build their careers. We also leverage wider UoR–NUBiP collaborations to share resources, open doors, and support women’s progression into leadership roles. Wherever possible, we coordinate with other British Council–funded projects to amplify our collective impact.