WIS A Day With… 2014
WIS A Day With saw over 50 network members from 14 different Warwick departments come
together to discuss and share experiences relevant to Women In Science.
Our programme (see below) offered the chance to hear from four expert speakers and take part in
a variety of breakout sessions (detailed below). The themes generated on the day are
underpinning our new network series, “Seasonal WIS”.
WIS A Day With... 2014 Breakout Sessions
At WIS A Day With...2014 delegates had the opportunity to attend up to four breakout sessions,
each addressing specific theme of relevance to Women In Science.

Imposter Syndrome

Athena Swan

Career Development

Work/Life Balance at Warwick
These breakout sessions were chosen based on feedback from our previous events, and from
current WIS network member. Each session was delivered by an expert from within the Warwick
community. Delegates had the opportunity to discuss the identified themes in an informal setting,
facilitated by identified experts.
Imposter Syndrome
Run by Careers and Skills (Emma Smith)
If you've ever felt like a fraud - what am I doing here? surely I'm not experienced enough to be
doing this/teaching this/publishing this! - then you know what Imposter Syndrome feels like. This
short session will briefly introduce the concept of Imposter Syndrome, a common but often
silent feature of academic and professional life for many people. A group discussion will give
you an opportunity to share experiences, and we'll finish with a few tips for how to prevent
Imposter Syndrome from holding you back.
Developing Your Career
Run by LDC (Sandy Sparks)
Developing Your Career will encourage attendees to look at their own career: identify where
they are today, where they want to go, and crucially, what steps they need to take to follow their
chosen route.
The session will provide the opportunity to learn more about the vast resources available through
the Learning and Development Centre, and suggest strategies for effective career planning.
Developing Your Career was a hugely popular session at WIS A Day With… 2013, with
feedback from last year’s delegates including:
“…THE most useful career session I’ve been too. Suddenly it’s all very clear, what I need to do,
what I CAN do, and what I WANT to do…” [WMS Senior Research Fellow]
“…enjoyable, fun and really easy to fit my career ideas into the model. Fitted in with the idea of
the “expert speakers” having different career journeys too – everyone has a different idea of
where they are going, and so it’s good to have a plan…” [Mathematics PhD Student]
“Work smart not hard. Love that.” [WMG Researcher]
Athena Swan
Run by Equality and Diversity (Sandra Beaufoy)
Work/Life Balance at Warwick University
Run by Human Resources (Anne McQuillan and Katy Yeomans)
An overview of the supportive framework in place at Warwick to encourage a work/life balance,
and an opportunity for delegates to discuss practical issues affecting their current situations and
potential future decisions.
The session hosts will cover topics including:
* Maternity/Adoption Leave
* Paternity/Adoption Leave
* Time Off for Dependents
* Returning Parents Network
* Career Breaks
* Parental leave
* Flexible Working
* Buying Additional leave
* Warwick Conferences Support Awards
* University Nursery