In celebration of 150 years of women in education, the University of London held a month of ‘conversations’ around the world on the subject of women, higher education and equality in the workplace and last week Bournemouth & Poole College joined the discussion.
At a special event in the Jellicoe Theatre, Dorset Councillor Rebecca Knox was the key note speaker. Her talk covered crucial questions concerning the key influences on behaviour in the workplace, including factors such as age, culture, language and personal ambition.
Ms Knox considered these factors as she addressed the significance of the current gender gap in UK employment, such as the striking figures that women represent more than 70% of employees in the sectors of education and health and social work, but less than 20% in construction and transportation.
Following the presentation, attendees were then able to listen to a notable panel, chaired by our own Principal Diane Grannell, as they discussed these issues further. Along with Ms Knox, the panel included:
• Dr Evangelia Marinakou: Senior Lecturer (Academic) in Hospitality and Tourism Management at Bournemouth University
• Alison Moore: FdA PGCert, Counsellor & Counselling Supervisor, Registered MBACP (Accred) MNCS (ACC) MRSPH, PG Certificate Counselling Supervision, FD Humanistic Counselling
• Liz Willingham: Founder of Liz Lean Public Relations
• Barbara Manuel: East Dorset Councillor
• Helen Fairhall: Team leader for Teacher Training at Bournemouth & Poole College
The panel shared their own experiences in their respective careers and workplaces, and offered their thoughts on the way forward for society as a whole to ensure gender parity in the employment sector, and mutual respect between genders in the workplace. Ultimately there was a good amount of positivity amongst the panel and the audience that these issues were being recognised, and also that progress is being made.
