# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
As an autistic person, it often takes a lot of energy to put myself out there, particularly where my work involves a lot of networking with external parties. There is always a conscious effort on my part to be more outgoing and accept as many opportunities as possible which, if left unbalanced, can lead to burn out.

As someone with a hidden disability who is high functioning and high masking, disclosing my neurodiversity can often be a challenge in itself. Often I am faced with confusion or even denial as 'you don't seem autistic'. At times like these, it can be challenging to advocate for myself.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
Besides wearing a bright yellow coat and occaisionally dyeing my hair purple, I try and maintain visibility by being the first person to volunteer for an opportunity or say yes to helping out a colleague.

Although as a person of a certain height, wearing bright colours does help stop people bumping into me out and about in public!

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Visibility for me is the recognition of the value you bring. Whether thats through your skillset or the atmosphere you bring to the workplace.

It’s about being truly known for who you are and appreciated for what you do.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
I’m often asked for more and more of my time, which means I have to be mindful about setting boundaries and sometimes saying no. I’m also aware that increased visibility can bring unwanted attention, including the risk of trolling on social media, which can make visibility feel more complicated than it should be for women

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I increase my visibility by saying yes to opportunities and getting involved where I can add value. I make time to keep learning and developing myself, and I use LinkedIn to stay professionally visible by engaging with my network and sharing relevant updates.
I also wear a hotpink jacket in the winter - even then I got hit by a cyclist on campus :(

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.eNuzB7ZY
2022
2008-2015 PhD Student and various other jobs

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
I’m a woman of colour who was once told girls couldn’t do maths and carried that doubt for years. I overcame health challenges to raise twin children, and held everything together through school runs, sick days, clubs, cooking, and constant care.
I grow food in my allotment. I give my time to volunteering. I love across continents as a daughter, even when distance makes it hard.
I’m a woman of a certain age who has been judged, undermined, harassed, and made to feel small, but I’m still here. 
Being seen means having the strength it took to survive and to become visible. It means honouring what women overcome just to be who they are.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
I can be quite underconfident in my abilities and can allow others to steal my thunder sometimes.  

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I am a social person who likes to be around others. I therefore ensure I network both at work and in new situations. 
I also like to scope out what I am interested in and get involved, which opens doors to new opportunities and opens my mind to new things.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Visibility to me is being seen for what you do and value you add/bring to situation. It means being fully accepted for who you are and being able to be yourself (within reason).  To be visible is to love yourself enough to put yourself first, and understand your needs before the needs of others.  By doing so we light the way for others to follow in our footsteps, and want to collaborate with us. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
In my current job I’m very visible to both internal and external stakeholders, including people who feel their issue hasn’t been dealt with before or who simply don’t know who else to approach. Because of that, my to‑do list can grow quickly and I can easily get pulled in lots of directions. To keep myself focused, I keep a “to‑don’t” list to stop me taking on work that isn’t mine or that would stretch me too far.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I have a lot of energy, and I often make myself visible by stepping into gaps (often while others are still thinking) and taking action quickly. I work best with colleagues who see the whole of me (not just the tip of the iceberg). My best work has come from being part of a diverse team, working often with reflective people when together we create the best outcomes.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.YRtmy3Vo
Office of the Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Women’s visibility is a bit like an iceberg. People often choose to only see  the small, obvious part of what women do, while the bigger stuff — the thinking, the relationship work, the quiet problem‑solving — sits below the surface and goes unnoticed.
As work becomes more transactional and focused on quick outputs, those deeper capabilities are even easier to miss. True visibility means taking the time to notice the whole iceberg, not just the part that’s easy to spot!

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
Being naturally reserved, I have often felt comfortable working behind the scenes. Kitchens can be intense environments, and it’s easy to focus solely on the work rather than on personal presence.

Over the past few years, however, I have consciously pushed myself beyond that comfort zone. With the encouragement and support of incredible colleagues and an inspiring team around me, I have grown more confident in stepping forward and owning my voice as a leader.

Visibility, for me, is an ongoing journey — one that continues to strengthen with experience, support, and self-belief.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
As someone naturally quite shy, increasing my visibility has not always been intentional or strategic. Instead, it has been rooted in the quality and integrity of my work.

I let my passion speak for me. I stay curious, continually educating myself as hospitality and food trends evolve. I firmly believe that every day is a school day, and I never shy away from learning something new — whether it’s refining technique, understanding new ingredients, or adapting to industry change.

For me, visibility comes through consistency, growth, and excellence.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Visibility means being recognised for the contribution I make — for the commitment, resilience, and craft I bring to my role every day.

Hospitality has traditionally been a male-dominated industry, and throughout my 27 years in the profession, I have experienced both its challenges and its evolution. I have seen meaningful progress, and it has been encouraging to witness positive change over time.

I am incredibly proud of how I have grown — not only in skill and leadership, but in confidence and presence. My journey reflects perseverance, adaptability, and a deep passion for what I do.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
Most of what I do happens quietly in the background — supporting Czech families, organising cultural events, translating and adapting materials, or helping colleagues solve problems. Because it’s often unpaid or informal, it can be easy for others to miss how much time, energy, and heart it takes. I don’t always put myself forward, so the work can disappear into the background.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I try to talk more openly about the community work I do and the pride I take in it. I share my skills generously and advocate for the importance of bilingual and cultural contributions. And I stay connected — building relationships, offering help, and making sure people know there’s a real person behind the work, not just a name in an email.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Visibility, for me, is about being seen as a whole person — bilingual, creative, rooted in my community, and someone who genuinely cares about helping people feel connected. A lot of the work I do sits outside job titles, but it shapes people’s experiences. Visibility means recognising that cultural and emotional labour has value too.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
I am naturally an introvert and people pleaser so making myself heard and being "selfish" can be difficult. I don't like that as a woman being vocal, ambitious and standing up for yourself are often described negatively in the press and media as well as at work. When I was a teenager in the 80s we were promised that true equality was nearly here, but in the 2020s it feels it is getting worse again. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
By stepping out of my comfort zone (at home and at work). At work I am vocal in meetings, volunteer, go first, and also speak out against decisions I don't agree with. At home, this can mean saying when I want to do something so I don't lose out (I have been to so many military museums with my two boys, doing the Shaun the Sheep trail was something I made them do last year with me). To be honest, it has taken me to my 50s before I have started doing this. 

It is interesting reading that other women's way of being visible is also in dress. I've never followed fashion (I was a major goth in my youth) and have developed a style that is unique to me and is often remarked upon at work!

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.eNuzB7ZY
2019 as staff. I was here as an undergraduate student 1990-1993 too!

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
I went to an all girl's school where we were all treated as "individual people" rather than "women", so I was surprised to find when I went out into the world that I was ignored, spoken over and dismissed. For me, being visible means that people are aware of me and notice my actions. At a very basic level, I want to be seen and heard. Women particularly are very good at doing things in the background and not making a fuss which means our wants, needs and ideas get sidelined.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
I find my team incredibly supportive and this motivates me to bring my best self to work, so visibility, for me, is no longer a fixed goal; it’s something I negotiate daily in search of a sustainable balance between career and motherhood that lets me flourish in both environments. Sometimes I get it right, sometimes I don't!

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I increase my visibility intentionally, not constantly. I choose moments where being seen will strengthen trust, improve collaboration, or help me lead with clarity; and I try to be honest about what I can sustainably offer. Sometimes that means speaking up, sharing progress, or stepping forward; other times it means making selective parts of my reality visible (especially when I’m tired or sleep-deprived). For me, visibility is a practice of discernment: showing up in ways that support my working relationships while also protecting the energy I need to thrive in both work and in my season of parenting young children.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Visibility isn’t just being seen at work; it’s being understood in context. What people notice of me in meetings, on projects, or in leadership spaces is often the front stage of my life, supported by a huge amount of backstage labour: the mental load of motherhood, night wakings, organising, the remembering, the emotional work, and the constant recalibration that happens before I even arrive at my desk. Visibility, to me, means making space for the truth that capability is often carried on top of unseen effort.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
I have worked predominantly with management teams for the last ten years. I learned early on that I needed to be heard, to share my views, and to speak with confidence in order to have impact. Often I find someone to back my corner and support me when this can be challenging. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I often challenge ideas and ask questions, whilst intentional about increasing my visibility. I focus on adding value and using my time practically and meaningfully, recognising that visibility evolves across roles and must be nurtured in different ways.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Visibility to me is about being seen and heard, both whilst being understood. It means being recognised for who I am, not just what I do, and having my actions valued rather than overlooked. I feel that women are often very good at simply getting on with things without expecting praise or acknowledgement. It's about being present and not invisible. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
I don't 'look' like a Deputy Vice-Chancellor. On the occasions that I preside at graduation, as I process through the Great Hall behind the mace, I see parents with their phones, look at me, then look behind me (expecting to see someone more important), and then look at me again with surprise etched on their faces, as if to say 'you're doing this?' I'd like to see a day when people aren't surprised to see someone like me doing something like that.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
Through actions, not just presence, so that I'm not just seen to be the token brown woman in the room. By speaking with authenticity about difficult topics- including racism, gender inequality, menopause, I try to make my visibility count. This year I decided to embrace my ethnicity at the centenary event in India, with both dress and language. It felt powerful!

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Growing up in the 70s and 80s, I actively avoided visibility because being visible carried a daily risk of racist abuse. I would go to great lengths to wear things that wouldn't get me noticed and resist pressure from my mother to wear ethnic dress when we were out and about. Today, as one of a very small number of women of colour on University Executive Boards, visibility is a valuable asset and an indicator of the progress that HE is making in diverse senior representation.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
Much of my background and experience is not obvious to others. This is sometimes a privilege but it also means I can struggle to feel known. I don’t always know how much to share when sharing sometimes comes with negative consequences.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I try to share some of my Autistic experience and experiences of a lower socioeconomic background within my profession and within the university with colleagues and students when I can. I also try to maintain a ‘real’ social media presence, avoiding the typical ‘highlight reel’. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Having a chance to share parts of our lives so that others can truly see us. Being able to be open about vulnerabilities and experiences so that both staff and students with similar characteristics feel less alone.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
Early in my career I worked in a male dominated area which made it very hard to become visible without attracting negative attention. If you made a decision, you were bossy, if you disagreed with something then you were creating a fuss. As soon as you announced that you were going on maternity leave you were overlooked for opportunities and promotion.
It took me quite a long time after this to think about my self-worth and realise just how valuable I am. I’m still not great at self-promotion, I worry of sounding arrogant or that I’m making a show over something small so this is an area that I plan to work on going forward. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I’ve been a Mum for 20 years, so I’ve always been happy to hide behind that cloak of motherhood. It is the only job I have always known that I wanted to do and it’s amazing every day, but it can become all too easy to lose your own visibility. For example, when people ask how you are, it can be easy to talk about the kids rather than think about your own feelings. Recently as my children have become older, I realised that I need to develop my own identity further and make myself more visible as a standalone person.
I decided to make a conscious effort to say yes to things and actively seek out new opportunities. In the last 18 months I think I’ve met more colleagues face to face, through courses and taking on new challenges, than I met in my first 8 years here! It’s often made me nervous to step out of my comfort zone, but it’s been really worthwhile. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
To me, being visible quite simply means being noticed and acknowledged. Not just for myself to be noticed but also to notice when someone else needs to feel visible. It’s great to be praised for a piece of work but it’s equally as nice to see someone smile when you give them a compliment, or to help someone feel relieved, and seen, if you have helped them out with a problem. 
I’m quite an introverted person but I love bright clothing. I find that I use it almost as a costume to promote my visibility and my confidence. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
When you're at the early stage of your career, you are also having to battle judgements about your age and experience. This intersectionality of identity is not just my experience but it's frustrating. I think recent research says we are around 100 years away of women achieving equality; I think this can feel quite overwhelming and makes you question how individual actions can make a difference. Although we have come along way, I think sometimes that people don't notice just how unfair society is and how much of my experience is set up to be in favour of white men. It can be really exhausting having to fight for greater visibility and the hostility of politics towards women, trans women and non-binary people can make you feel really fearful for what the future might look like. I've been labelled as 'bossy' or 'angry' which is really gendered language when male leaders are often celebrated for being assertive in the workplace.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I work hard on my own wellbeing and self-confidence to reduce self-doubt about why I should have a seat at the table. I educate myself on different experiences of being a woman and intentionally build a network of women who support each other unconditionally. I also think it's about using my privilege to support other women and ensure that those who are younger have a better experience of being visible.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
I think for me it's about being seen without having to justify why you're in the room, without having to feel like you're fighting harder to have your skills, experience and perspectives valued just because of my gender. 
I went to a private girls school and looking back, I didn't appreciate the safe space and opportunities that created for me and my peers. You're kind of in this bubble where you are celebrated for who you are which absolutely has made me into the person I am today. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
Being visible as a Black  woman in leadership comes with unique challenges. Visibility can sometimes feel like scrutiny—being hyper-aware of how my actions may be interpreted or judged. There are moments where I navigate assumptions, stereotypes, and expectations that others in similar roles may not face. I also experience the emotional weight of representing communities that are underrepresented at senior levels. With visibility often comes the pressure to ‘get it right,’ not just for myself, but for those who may be watching and hoping. Additionally, advocating for mental health—particularly in spaces that still grapple with stigma—means I sometimes encounter resistance or the need to justify the importance of the work. Balancing authenticity with the demands of leadership can be challenging, but it strengthens my resolve.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I increase my visibility by leading with purpose and being intentional about where and how I show up. Within the university, I elevate the importance of mental health through strategy, advocacy, and collaboration across the institution. I use my voice to highlight the experiences of marginalised student groups and push for systems that truly support them. I also increase visibility by stepping into spaces that extend beyond my job description—speaking at events, contributing to discussions on equity and wellbeing, and mentoring others who are navigating similar journeys. Outside of work, my visibility is grounded in community. I lead a women’s group where I help build connections, foster empowerment, and create safe spaces for others to be seen. This work reflects my belief that visibility is not just about being noticed—it’s about lifting others as I rise.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Visibility, for me, is about being fully seen for who I am and what I bring—not just my professional title, but my lived experience, heritage, and values. As a Black woman of Caribbean heritage in senior leadership, visibility is a form of representation. It’s showing that women who look like me, who share similar histories and communities, belong in these spaces of influence. Visibility means standing confidently in rooms where people like me have not always been welcomed, and using that presence to open doors for others, to challenge stigma around mental health, and to ensure that wellbeing is seen as central to student success. It is the ability to lead authentically and to make my identity a source of strength rather than something I mute or negotiate.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
As part of my role on the management team, I am the only member who doesn't manage a team - in fact I'm a team of 1! Sometimes this makes me feel a little bit invisible, because it's literally only me making my voice heard in a service of 30+ people. I know people don't mean to, but when emails come round saying 'Each team', it just re-affirms how isolated I am in my role, and that there's still a need to be more 'visible'. If I think of visibility of people being aware of my feelings, however, that's an area where I'm still trying to push myself to let myself be seen - and not hide away. It's a lot to open up to colleagues sometimes, and to do so while not letting it affect your work? That just makes me feel like I'd be the centre of attention and I definitely don't want that! There's a balance... and I'm trying to find that lovely middle ground still.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I am known in the office for being someone who will try to speak with any and all colleagues to find out how they are. I'm a member of the management team which for some might equate visibility, but to me, that's got nothing to do with me being visible; In fact in some ways I feel that's an area where my visibility might be slightly less. I make sure that I have a voice, and acknowledge that I have a position where I can look to make a difference, and that other people have a voice through me where needed. It helps that at work I have a fun and welcoming personality... I'm a little drained when I get home though.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
It means people thinking about you even when you're not there. It means someone taking the time to remember that you have an opinion, and wanting to hear it. It means putting yourself out of your comfort zones sometimes to make sure this happens.

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Headshot of a brunette lady with a bob haircut smiling at the camera wearing a bright yellow polka dot dress.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
I predominantly work remotely and as such it can be easy for your contributions to be forgotten. It means having to be more of an extrovert and work harder to be heard. This can take a lot of energy which when you're already working with a depleted energy reservoir can cause you to burn out so making sure you're giving yourself the time to rest and recuperate. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I live loudly, I speak up for myself in situations where it may be uncomfortable. Volunteering for difficult projects, finding solutions, speaking up and advocating for myself and not minimising my voice and lived experience for the comfort of others. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Visibility for me has changed hugely within the workplace over the last 2-3 years as I have become more comfortable in my identity as a visibly disabled person.  

Visibility to me means being seen outside of my disability and the value that I offer within the workplace but also not having that disability ignored and my access needs accepted. 

As a woman in the workplace it's hard enough to be heard but adding a disability to the mix and access needs it's easy for people to disregard you even further especially if you're not always able to be physically present when decisions are being made. Being visible means pushing through the discomfort to a place of understanding and celebration of the different experiences that we all bring to the table.  

It means having to carry a heavier load and being assertive and allowing yourself the space to be recognised for your achievements and not seen as an inconvenience or internalising that viewpoint. 
 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
I have a massive problem with imposter syndrome and have to resist remaining in my comfort zone and only doing things that I am experienced in. New things can be scary, but I’m usually the person who will give it a try!

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I’m trying to actively increase my visibility in the Higher Education Careers sector, starting with standing for election and winning the role of Vice President of the Graduate Futures Institute in 2024. Even in that setting, it has taken me a good year to make sure I jump in with my views at the start of discussions, instead of waiting until most things have already been said. Sometimes you have to do the uncomfortable things and put your head above the parapet. I also stepped up to cover the maternity leave of my manager, and a year in that role also offered lots of new experiences and challenges, as well as visibility with a whole host of other colleagues. 

At Reading I count myself lucky to have immediate colleagues that value my opinion and make sure opportunities to share views are frequent and accessible. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Visibility for me is being valued for the skills I bring to the table. I’ve always found this more motivating than financial gain. 
I want women to be seen as leaders more in society. I was mortified when, at about 7 years old, own son was surprised that my boss was female, despite his own mother being a manager whilst his father is not! Where had this come from at such a young age and how can we change these stereotypes so that girls and boys know women can be leaders?

In my adult life I’ve overcome difficult situations involving redundancy whilst on maternity leave, navigated 14 years of motherhood alongside a career, dealt with the trauma of baby loss and found purpose and acceptance in the years that followed. I even appeared in Vitality Health magazine where resilience was named as my super-power!

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
There are moments, thankfully rare when I’ve encountered negative behaviours that makes everything feel so much harder than it needs to be. Sadly I do believe I’ve been treated this way partly because I am a woman. When you’re working with genuine intention to build strong partnerships across the university for the good of our students, those moments can feel deeply personal.
But what keeps me grounded, resilient, and inspired are the colleagues I work alongside and the reason we are all here, to support the education of our students. I’m fortunate to work alongside many incredible women in whose wisdom, integrity, and experience create a culture of support and strength. Their example reminds me why visibility matters, not for recognition, but for showing up with courage, compassion, and purpose - regardless of or in spite of what is going on in their lives.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
To me, increasing my own visibility isn’t about shouting from the rooftops (though sometimes it can be) it’s about showing up with purpose in ways that feel authentic and sustainable.
At work, that means championing the incredible efforts of my team and making sure our contribution to student support and employability is both clear and valued. It’s about ensuring the work we do is seen, understood, and trusted.
At home and in my community, visibility takes on a different shape. It’s about standing alongside those who need advocacy the most.  For me, that’s families and young people with special educational needs and disabilities. Being part of a community that lifts others up is a form of visibility that matters deeply to me.
In every space I’m in, my own visibility is not about volume,  it’s about impact, intention, and being present for the things and people that truly matter to me. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
To me visibility is being recognised for your strengths and for your contribution to the world whether that be at work, home or the community. It’s important for me to feel  connected to and recognised for something I truly believe in, and to make a difference but quietly, like a cog in the machine that works in harmony alongside other parts, to achieve a common goal but with a useful function. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
I feel other people can have assumptions about me. I am confident and independent, but not all the time. I think it means I get overlooked for support or help or recognition, and I'm just left to get on with things. I anticipate a lot of women feel this way, especially those of us raised in the 1990s/2000s where we were told we could have it all! 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I try to authentically be myself and share my experiences with others. As someone who can come across as self assured, I share my story and how I struggle. I hope this gives others the reassurance that you can find a path to visibility, while in turn it gives me the opportunity to show my full colours. 

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.YRtmy3Vo
Timetabling and Room Booking, Student Services

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Visibility for me means having a right to be in the room and having your voice heard, to have that voice respected and not be dismissed. I was painfully shy as child, always the good girl, the academic one, the daughter of a teacher, the rule follower. It has taken time, effort, and a few failures, to have the confidence to believe that being visible is ok, that you can disagree with others in a respectful and constructive way, and that being visible can be rewarding. Only you can represent yourself and your views fully.

Visibility also means for me recognising others and allowing them space to be heard or seen fully. This might be in team meetings where I try to ensure everyone gets a chance to speak, or at a kid's birthday party where I'll chat to a quieter mum who might otherwise feel excluded.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
Being visible as an academic often involves doing TV or radio interviews, and despite media training this is something that makes me feel very anxious. The unpredictability of the questioning, the speed of the interaction and the polarised nature of how most debates are framed feels quite different to academic writing where we might spend months  carefully crafting and re-working sentences for publication. I have learnt to build in some time off and self-care after media interviews!

The other challenge is time, particularly balancing work with a busy family life with children aged 3-12. Motherhood for me has also meant navigating the world of special educational needs, EHCPs and specialist schooling, which can be very time consuming and bureaucratic. I am grateful for the research skills that my career has helped me to build and I try to help other parents through the system where I can.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I’m a Professor of Sociology and through my academic research I try to promote women’s voices, particularly those who are not typically afforded a prominent voice within society. I particularly enjoy using creative and arts-based research methods which are excellent for encouraging participation from those who might be wary of taking part in traditional interviews. I have found that images help to speak to audiences in an evocative way, making social issues more visible. 

Academic life increasingly seems to be built around competition whereas I value collaboration and listening as well as speaking. I try to support colleagues at all stages of their careers, be authentic with people and speak about challenges and failures as well as successes. I have greatly benefited from being part of a supportive community of female academics who meet together regularly online.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.YRtmy3Vo
Department Politics and International Relations

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.sFJjzAaw
Visibility means being seen, being known, and being heard. I feel that within society the intersection of gender, race, social class, disability and other factors means that for some this is much easier than others.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Vicki at BBC following an interview about ballroom dancing .JPG

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.ILwecESw
With almost 300 staff in Student Services, spread across 6 buildings on two campuses it’s a big challenge to ‘drop-in’ and see people in person and even when I do, there is always a proportion that are working from home, so I find myself relying on other forms of communication to be visible. I’m not sure they are as effective but still… The formation of the Directorates has also been a challenge for me in terms of my visibility. I am no longer a part of the groups that I used to be and involved in the conversations I once was. Having said that it has not had as much impact as I thought it would.

# data[].attributes.custom_properties.Lo6FMn9U
I make a point of working on campus almost everyday, and for those teams that are geographically near to me I will frequently drop in rather than email or Teams call. I also like a chat over the kettle. A few years ago I instigated a series of  ‘Show & Tell Insights’ sessions, where members of staff from any team and any grade present an aspect of their work, a recent success or a day/week in the life of … We hold these sessions regularly, they are online (and recorded) and are usually attended by around 100 staff. This is a regular opportunity to be visible at the same time as enhancing the visibility of others.
In recent years I have led and co-led a number of institution-wide projects which has increased my visibility outside Student Services, although perhaps not my popularity as change initiatives are not always welcomed by everyone! These include: The University’s response to the Abrahart V Bristol ruling on reasonable adjustments, the Enabling Operations strand of the Portfolio Review Pathway, the Review of the Exceptional Circumstances process and the work on preventing and responding to Harassment and Sexual Misconduct. Current projects include: the Learning Engagement & Analytics project (LEAP) and the Assessment Adjustments Virtual Assistant (AAVA). Projects always bring me into contact with new people and sometimes new parts of the University, which I find fascinating.

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Visibility has two dimensions for me. Firstly, being present for those I directly line manage and members of their teams. This means being available and accessible to provide advice and guidance or a helping hand, or simply be interested in what is going on. It also means helping to make their work visible and celebrating its value even (and perhaps, particularly) when it is not easily visible. The second dimension is about recognition, inclusion and contribution. I’m approaching my 8th year as Director of Student Services and in that time have gained a wealth of insight and experience. I feel personally visible when I am included in decision making so that I can contribute my hard won expertise and insight.     

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Something like visibility needs to be lead from the top. I find, at work, there is little if at all, credit given to the work put in. As women, we are constantly on prioritising, trying to fit everyone and everything into a day's work. Visibility for me is Recognition for me successfully making it through another day   proudly. 

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I try to communicate with colleagues and family, about things that impact me. This is easier at home than at work, honestly.  

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I think sometimes, not being in a leadership role can be challenging when trying to increase visibility. It's sometimes easy to feel that you don't have the position/seniority to increase your visibility as much as you'd like, which is why it's so important to have supportive leaders in our teams who can champion their teams and help them to feel visible. I do think as a woman, I tend to be more self-critical as well, and sometimes it can be uncomfortable to put myself out there, so this is something I would like to work on going forwards, and I would love to support other women to do the same. 

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In general, I try to increase my visibility by actively getting involved in things, and (trying!) to push myself out of my comfort zone and put myself forward when opportunities arise. This is not always easy, but the reward is always worth it. Sometimes increasing my visibility can be done on a small scale, within my own team, and sometimes I strive for something a little wider. I am also incredibly lucky to have an amazing line manager, Em Sowden, who ensures that the work our team does is recognised and championed, and we have also been doing some great work within our team recently to increase our visibility to each other, which I have really enjoyed. 

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Visibility means being seen, recognised and championed for your contributions both in the workplace and in other areas of your life. Visibility also means recognition of the incredible hard work that goes into all of our roles here at the university, from the day-to-day, to the large-scale projects, and everything in between - it all deserves to be visible and recognised. 

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With a working-class background and as a black woman, I find that I am normally invisible in most spaces. Even advancement is a struggle, and I face barrier after barrier while keeping the good fight. Even when I walk in and speak, I am invalidated, receive no acknowledgement, am ignored, or have my points dismissed as unworthy knowledge, despite my education and being in a leadership position in the community. Do I need to speak louder to be heard? My body is policed, what I do is policed. Then the stereotype comes in, ‘the black aggressive woman’  strong black woman or ‘are you angry’ or the complaint that they did not like how I spoke, or they could not hear me because of my accent, without the knowledge that my voice sometimes is my tool to be heard in spaces. Not every black woman is the same,  the expectations are the likes of Uncle Tom syndrome, to minimise myself, to not advocate for anti-racism and be the good immigrant, work hard, the black tax, be silent and appreciate, don’t complain, appreciate. No is a sentence, but is that accepted when you are looking after your wellbeing and self-preservation? I have to navigate rejection and learn every day to be strong. I don’t seem to be allowed to be vulnerable or make mistakes, and it’s a daily struggle to survive and keep myself afloat. Who I am without the labels and stereotypes, I am a human being. Racism is an insidious disease, harmful, and it should not exist – my daughters need a better space to thrive.

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 I bring Ubuntu—I am Because You Are—and authentic feminine energy and leadership—intuition, empathy, collaboration, kindness, and nurturing. Serving the community at all times is my mantra, and I volunteer, support those in need, fulfil civic and public duties, and especially advocate for refugees and stand against social injustice. I have made myself visible in spaces that I would not have been accepted or felt I belonged, brought my knowledge, skills, lived experience, my voice and as Shirley Chisholm says, "If they don't give you a seat at the table, bring a folding chair”, so without the folding chair what do I do, I will sit on the floor. I am passionate about what I do and will give it my best. I turn up at events, connect, learn and engage through networking. I also show, through my lived experience, to the future generation of young people, regardless of their identity, race, gender, or ethnicity, that their voice matters, their dreams matter, and their authenticity matters.

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Human Geography/Community Action Partnership/Diversity and Inclusion 

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Visibility starts with: Can you see me without seeing my skin colour, my gender as a woman, my colourful clothes, or my hair? Can you hear me without judging me, without the already conscious bias that you have before I even say something? Are you able to value my knowledge and wisdom, and validate it as worthy? My intersectionality as a black woman of African heritage, a refugee background and faced health challenges, loss, is that I am a human being first. Visibility means that I have brought myself authentically into the world, even though the journey is challenging. I don’t have to assimilate or blend in, and visibility means people can create better spaces for me to belong. I don’t have to ruffle feathers to be visible, too. I am somebody. Now I carry the weight, which can sometimes feel heavy, of representing black women and girls in spaces where they have not been allowed to be visible, heard, or seen as knowledgeable. 