Women's History Month

Celebrating BCU Women in Research

BCU is home to incredible researchers, developing groundbreaking ideas to shape our future. From developing novel methods in cardiac nursing, to redesigning our cities, BCU experts challenge what we know, break barriers, and drive positive change. Join us in celebrating their creative solutions and determination to make true impacts.

Celebrating BCU Women in Research

On Women's History Month, we spotlight the invaluable contributions of women in research at BCU. Our dedicated research community, including academics and postgraduate research students, are making significant strides across a multitude of fields, inspiring change, and leading the way for future generations.

Not only is their work expanding the frontiers of knowledge, but it is addressing pressing global challenges, from healthcare disparities to international human rights laws. 

BCU women in research are actively engaged in interdisciplinary collaborations, recognising the importance of integrating diverse perspectives to tackle complex issues. Bringing unique insights from their area of expertise, our researchers foster creativity, practical and data-led approaches and foster a culture of inclusivity within the academic community.  

GENDER AND EQUALITY: 40 YEARS ON EXHIBITION

Join us to celebrate the launch of the Barbara Webster Collection and the 'Gender and Equality: 40 years on' exhibition, which explores women's equality, with specific attention to Birmingham- based initiatives in the 1980s.

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ALUMNI PODCAST ON TOUR: DR MARCIA SHAKESPEARE AND CLAIR GRAHAM

Join us for our live podcast recording in celebration of Women’s History Month with inspirational graduates Dr Marcia Shakespeare and Clair Graham.

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Walk in Digbeth: A feminist perspective for alternative urban visions

Join Dr Silvia Gullino and Professor Claudia Carter from BCU School of Built Environment for an engaging and social walk through Digbeth and its canal towpaths.

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Riot Grrrl: 90s Feminist Punk and the NME exhibition

Explore Parkside exhibition exposing sexism within the music scene, and how female punk musicians in the Riot Grrrl movement fought back against it.

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Are women’s voices present in Pakistani and Indian streamed content?

Professor Valentina Vitali, film historian and Professor in Digital Arts, has been exploring Pakistani and Indian TV series directed by or about women.

Women's Voices Film

How feminists are harnessing human rights to advance abortion access

Dr Rebecca Smyth, Lecturer in Law at Birmingham City University (BCU), is researching how feminists use human rights to advance abortion rights access.

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UK’s first digital active city spaces to be designed for teenage girls

Encouraging teenage girls to stay active by designing city spaces that make use of immersive digital technology is the goal of new three-year project led by Birmingham City University (BCU).

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SHE SWIMS: Birmingham Swimming Dance Film

Witness 50 women from the community of Birmingham swell and swarm in a drained Grade || Edwardian heritage swimming pool originally made for ‘first class men’ in 1907. Mentor Dr Polly Hudson and Director Shelley Eva Haden join Moseley Road Swimming Baths, inviting women to exist and empower a space which once didn’t belong to them.

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Reframing Endometriosis

We are delighted to share ‘Reframing Endometriosis,’ a special commissioned illustration from award-winning artist Justyna Green. The piece is based on the British Academy and Wellcome Trust conference, ‘Reframing Endometriosis: Power, Politics and Potential Futures,’ held at Birmingham City University.

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Meet PhD Researcher Melisa Oleschuk

Passionate about the empowerment of people and the protection of human rights, Melisa felt studying a PhD would provide her with the knowledge for a career contributing to a better society.

Melisa Oleschuk Portrait

Meet our researchers

BCU is home to talented and proactive research academics, who have created ground-breaking ideas challenging their field of study and the world.

Athena Swan Awarded

Birmingham City University is a signatory to the 10 Athena SWAN principles, and was granted the Athena SWAN Bronze Institutional award in recognition of its commitment to advancing gender equality 

Athena Swan Bronze Award, Gender Charter

BCU Crime and Society Research Centre

Women from Black and Global Majority backgrounds who have been victims of domestic abuse could soon be pulling on the uniform of the West Midlands Police – and the move has been welcomed by a leading crime expert from BCU.

Laura Hammond WAITS