International Women’s Day

8th March is a very special day – it’s International Women’s Day! The inspiring global holiday is a focal point for the women’s rights movement. It is a time to focus issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women. Here at Rise, we are celebrating this day in a less traditional way; we will be spotlighting Rise resources produced by women in addition to highlighting their empowering work, and we will give you the insights to Manchester’s greatest celebrations.

Women x Rise

Our ‘Behavioural Design‘ self study kit is written and produced by the fabulous Lauren Kelly. This self study kit teaches you the principles of Behaviour Design; the ways in which design principles can be used to positively change the behaviour of individuals, communities and societies. Lauren is the cofounder of an innovative company called Behaviour Studio. Behaviour Studio is an agency which uses behavioural thinking to get people to strive, connect as a team and innovate smarter. Lauren and her team use this impactful thinking whilst also making sure everything she does is sustainable. How great is that!

Khadijah Diskin is another spotlight. She wrote our ‘Decolonising and Decarbonising Digital Society’ self study kit. Khadijah studied for her PhD in Psychology, specialising in Decoloniality, Marxism and Psychoanalysis, at Manchester Met. Her research, as shown in her self study kit, explores the effects neoliberalism has on racial subjectivity.

My next spotlight is all about the brilliantly smart Mille Vardheim. She made up our ‘App Design‘ self study kit for all of you creative students. Mille is a Norwegian Man Met alumni who then went on to work as a project manager; managing the entire process of app and website design, from idea to development. Just when you thought she’s already empowering, she is currently focusing on working with charities to use digital for social good! Mille truly is an inspiration to the digital and civic world.

Our super informative ‘Black Lives Matter and Business‘ self study kit has been made up by Professor Bela Arora. Arora holds a PhD in nuclear arms control and has worked across academic departments specialising in International Politics and International Business. She also works closely with policy networks on subjects ranging from anti-slavery through to sustainable development. Her self study kit was developed in collaboration with the United Nations Global Compact Network UK, making the information important, influential and inspiring.

Whilst I’m on the topic of women at Rise, I wanted to take a second to applaud all the hard working women on our team. ELTs CJ Foster, Elle Simms, and Catherine Elkin work increasingly hard day in and day out and make sure that the team are working collectively. Our organised Operations Officer Vick Fahie is our unsung hero by making sure everything is running smoothly. Social media queen Camila works exceedingly hard by juggling our socials and her final year of university!

Manchester’s Celebrations

IWD Walk for women – This safe and friendly walk is an opportunity to come together with family and friends, colleagues – and strangers too – to share your passion for equality and creating opportunities for Manchester women. To make this walk memorable and fun, you’re encouraged to bring along safe, fun and noisy instruments to bang and clang.

Digital Her Inspiration Breakfast – This event is aimed at all women working, or aspiring to work, in tech. You will join likeminded women over coffee and pastries as you explore inspiration in today’s world.