Wise Women Manifesto

Wise Women Manifesto

We do not want academic women to be perpetually highlighted as victims of persistent and systemic inequities, though these do of course exist. Instead, we wish to celebrate women, their ideas, and achievements, and thereby empower them to claim “rights, access to and control of resources and power to influence matters that concern or affect them” (Winther et al, 2016: 392).

Manifestos have a long history in art and design, acting as declarations of shared intentions, values and aspirations. The eleven manifesto points that are situated at the centre of this publication signify an important step in developing shared understandings, solidarity and a thriving network of women academics in the Leeds School of Arts (LSA).

With the support of funding received from Research England and the Leeds Beckett Equity and Inclusion Research Fund, Dr Gillian Dyson and Dr Anne Schiffer brought women across the Leeds School of Arts together in a day long symposium.

Dr Joanna Leah facilitated the performative co-creation of a ‘floor manifesto’ which is documented here and which forms the basis for articulating a collective statement.

The portraits contained in this manifesto were taken by photographer, artist and academic Lizzie Coombes. Having one’s portrait taken is a conscious act of claiming space and a form of empowerment. These portraits demonstrate the collective voice of the undersigned women.

menopause story [...]. It really moved

“I’ve been struggling since returning from my second maternity leave due to staff changes […] and being introduced to this network of amazing women at the LSA is a light at the end of the tunnel.“

° We will shed the toxic masculinity.

° We demand accountability, co-creation and equity.

° We will moult ‘academic housework’ and stereotyped responsibilities.

° We recognise being vulnerable gives us power to regenerate.

° We will sit, gather and reflect.

° You push us down, we will push back!

° We will occupy spaces of leadership and influence.We are against tokenism.

° We will force the dinosaurs out!

° We will take brave steps, stepping side by side.

° We will enjoy our stride, walking wide, for women’s paths are wise.

“I think there’s a desire for a supportive network and it being more regular. Love to be part of thinking how this might happen. It’s also really important especially in our subject area currently with some of the challenges people are facing especially around time for research.“

“It felt like this was the be ginning of a genuinely sup portive and feminist space which is much needed. It was inspiring and informative to hear about people’s research and personal/professional journeys - so often these get conveyed or framed less authentically in corporate/ patriarchal spaces or, are just misconstrued.”

“Whilst we wanted to create an overall positive feel, we also recognised that we needed a space for women to share difficult experiences. The ‘Moaning Lisa’ invited participants to ‘get it off your chest’ by adding ‘your moans, your groans, your complaints, your unanswered questions, your why don’t they just…, your heartfelt cries or silent laments!”

We the undersigned are women in the Leeds School of Arts and our allies* who came together on the 20th of July 2022:

Teresa Brayshaw

Beth Cassani

Jennifer Chalkley

Dr Anja Connor-Crabb

Lizzie Coombes

Dr Gillian Dyson

Dr Bronwen Edwards*

Trudi Entwistle

Dr Alia Fadel

Dr Jill Gibbon*

Dr Laura Griffiths

Dr Jo Hassall

Dr Mary Ikoniadou

Dr Philippa Jackson

Dr Julia Kelly

Lisa Kendal

Dr Rachel Krische

Dr Joanna Leah

Dr Tenley Martin

Professor Sue Miller

Lauren Moriarty

Professor Jayne Raisborough*

Marielle Reuser

Gabrielle Russell

Professor Lisa Stansbie*

Dr Liz Stirling

Dr Anne Schiffer

Harriet Wadsworth

Dr Beccy Watson*

Zara Worth

Wise Women Manifesto

Authors: Joanna Leah, Lizzie Coombes, Anne Schiffer, Gillian Dyson

Published by: Leeds School of Arts

Date: January 2023

ISBN (digital version): 9781907240744