Date/Time
Date(s) - 24/01/2025 12:00 pm - 4:30 pm
Location
University of Leeds
Audience:
CYGNA North/NARTI In-Person Event: Finding your Voice and Making it Heard
Friday 24th January 2025
12.00-16.30 (starting with lunch)
Woodhouse Suite, University House
University of Leeds, UK
Join us in Leeds for a fantastic event organised through CYGNA North and the Northern Advanced Research Training Initiative (NARTI).
Summary:
Standing up and speaking up can be challenging for many people but can be even tricker for some groups of people, e.g., women. Research by Karpowitz et al. (2012) show that in meetings on average women spoke significantly less than men. Not speaking up can hold back one’s career as it affects their visibility in the workplace. Although the number of female academics has grown in recent years across different disciplines, men still outnumber women in leadership positions. Even for those female leaders, it is a sadly familiar story of them being interrupted, talked over or ignored.
This workshop aims to explore such questions as: 1) how to find your authentic voice and deliver your vision to inspire others and make authoritative contributions to the discussion? 2) how to comfortably talk about your experience, accomplishment and strength? 3) how to overcome imposter syndrome? 4) what cultural changes are needed to ensure that women’s voice is heard?
Programme:
12:00 – 13:00 Welcome and lunch
13:00 – 13:10 Introduction
13:10 – 14:10 Panel discussion: How to find your authentic voice?
Panelists: Penelope Dick (Sheffield), Kendi Guantai (Leeds), Sangeeta Khorana (Aston)
During this session, the panellists will share their perspectives on finding an authentic voice, delving into the nuances of identifying one’s unique viewpoint and style in personal or professional contexts. They will also address the barriers and challenges commonly encountered during this journey. These may include internal obstacles such as self-doubt, fear of judgment, and imposter syndrome, as well as external factors like societal expectations, finding and using your authentic voice as a racially minoritized woman, cultural pressures, and institutional constraints. In addition, the panellists will offer strategies and tips on overcoming these barriers and challenges.
They will share practical advice on building confidence, staying true to one’s values, and navigating difficult situations. This section aims to provide a realistic understanding of the path to authenticity and actionable insights and encouragement for those striving to find their authentic selves.
14:10 – 14:30 Coffee Break
14:30 – 15:30 Panel discussion: How to make your authentic voice heard?
Panelists: Caroline Elliott (Warwick), Tao Jiang (Leeds), Lilian Otaye-Ebede (Liverpool)
Confidently communicating our vision and viewpoints and discussing experiences, achievements, and strengths can bolster our presence and credibility. During this session, the panellists will explore how one can effectively communicate in a way that highlights their distinct skills and values and reflect on their accomplishments. Additionally, what role do self-awareness and self-assessment play in this process? What strategies can effectively help to build self-confidence and combat the feelings of self-doubt, shifting the mindset from self-doubt to self-assurance.
15:30 – 16:15 Questions to be addressed in group discussions:
- What strategies or techniques have you found helpful in discovering and honing your authentic voice?
- Creating a culture that values diverse voices is crucial for ensuring everyone’s contributions are heard and respected. What cultural changes are required to foster an environment where every voice is given equal weight and consideration?
- What support do you need in developing your authentic voice?
16:15 – 16:30 Closing remarks
Speaker Profiles:
Penny Dick is Professor of Organizational Psychology at Sheffield University Management School. Penny’s work can be broadly categorized as critical management and she is particularly interested in understanding the relationship between individuals and their social and institutional environments. Much of her work takes its inspiration from Michel Foucault and is thus focused on the role of power, embedded in taken-for-granted ideas and practices, in maintaining or challenging a status quo that advantages some groups relative to others. She has published in such journals as Human Relations, Organization Studies and Journal of Organizational Behavior. She was a Senior Associate Editor at the Journal of Management Studies from 2013-2018; Associate Editor at Organization Theory (2018-2022) and is currently Co-Editor in Chief at Human Relations.
Kendi Guantai is the University of Leeds Dean for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and an Associate Professor of Corporate Communications Practice. She provides academic leadership for the EDI agenda the implementation of the University’s EDI strategy. Working with the EDI Director, she is also responsible for shaping and delivering of a range of EDI initiatives and is currently leading work on the Race Equality Charter. Dr Guantai’s research is informed by the African Philosophy of Ubuntu, and encompasses topics in Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging, including Knowledge Equity, Decolonial Praxis in Higher Education, and restorative justice. She has spearheaded several projects in support of the Student Access and Success strategy as well as leading on Decolonising the Curriculum for the University of Leeds Business School. Being a strong believer in collaborative research, Dr. Guantai has spearheaded several local and international collaborative projects, including the inaugural Africa Week at the University of Leeds. Dr. Guantai is an active member of several university academic boards and networks, including the recently formed Just Transition Taskforce, which works in support of the delivery of the ambitious University of Leeds Climate Plan. She is also a member of both the University Council and is Senate.
Sangeeta Khorana is Professor and Endowed Chair of International Trade Policy at Aston Business School in the UK. She also holds the position of a Trustee Director on various profit and not-for-profit organisation boards within the UK, USA and India. She has an extensive career encompassing academia, government, and management consulting. Her career also includes roles as a civil servant in the Indian government and a secondment with United Kingdom’s Department for Business and Trade to support the government on trade negotiations. As a leading researcher, Professor Khorana advises governments on trade negotiations and actively contributes her insights to various UK government committees. Her extensive academic portfolio encompasses a multitude of publications, including books, book chapters, and 70 journal articles on trade policy issues. She has a PhD from the University of St. Gallen, a summa cum laude Masters’ degree in trade law and economics from Switzerland, and MA (Honours) in Economics from India. She is full Member of the Chartered Institute of Export (MCIEx) and Senior Fellow of the UK Higher Education Academy.
Caroline Elliott is a teaching focused Professor in the Economics Department at the University of Warwick. Caroline is the Academic Director of the Social Sciences Connect Programme at the University of Warwick. This programme includes the development of new undergraduate and postgraduate programmes; the development of a global policy institute; a large capital project and developing further links with external regional, national and international organisations. She is an applied industrial economist with research in this area, as well as in the economics pedagogy field. Caroline is a member of the Government Regulatory Policy Committee, and Deputy Director of the Economics Network. She has a PhD from the University of Manchester, and is a PFHEA. Caroline has previously worked at the universities of Manchester, Lancaster, Huddersfield and Aston.
Tao Jiang is Associate Professor in Marketing Practice at Leeds University Business School. Having worked in UK HE for almost 20 years, she understands the challenges and difficulties facing women in their professional life. This lived experience has made Tao a passionate advocate for equitable opportunities. As the Co-chair of Women At Leeds Network (WALN), she is focusing her energy on issues such as gender pay gap, emotional labour, career progression, intersectionality, life and work balance to support the wellbeing of our members. She is delighted to share her experience with colleagues across institutions.
Lilian Otaye-Ebede is a Professor in Human Resource Management & Organisational Behaviour at the University of Liverpool (UoL). Her research focuses on diversity management (race/ethnicity, gender, neurodiversity) developing inclusive practices, strategic HRM, work/life interface and employee well-being, and has been published in multiple, high ranking journals (e.g. Journal of Management Studies, Journal of Organizational Behaviour, Journal of Management etc.), and funded by institutions such as British Academy/Leverhulme, ESRC, and the CIPD. She is an Associate Editor of Personnel Review Journal, and seats on several journal editorial boards. Lilian is a Representative-at-large of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion division of the Academy of Management and is on the Board of Directors for the Open Eye Gallery UK, advising on HR & race equality. Alongside her academic research, she works closely with practitioners in the UK to facilitate the development of more inclusive practices for racially minoritised employees. Some of her previous work has been with the NHS England WRES Team; and the North West Business Leadership Team.
If you are able to commit to attending this event, please register using the ‘REGISTER HERE’ link at the top of this page.