SAVE THE DATE!
CYGNA North In-Person Event: Finding your Voice and Making it Heard
Join us in Leeds for a fantastic event organised through CYGNA North and the Northern Advanced Research Training Initiative (NARTI). This is a call to save the date and we will be in touch after the summer with further details, speaker bios and how to register.
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?
Panellists: 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?
Panellists: 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
Find out more information and register via the NARTI website. Please note NARTI events are open only to staff based in the Sheffield Business School.