SPP Womxn's Network

Advocacy

Drives the network’s advocacy agenda by pressing for change on gender issues within the School of Public Policy, LSE community, and beyond. The objective of the Advocacy Committee is to challenge and change the political, economic, and social systems, institutions, and practices that create inequitable conditions for womxn and other marginalised populations.

Previous initiatives include:

• 2021-2022 Curriculum Inclusivity Report
• Reporting Resources Awareness
• Recommendations for Faculty Workshops & Student Training
• 2020-2021 Curriculum Inclusivity Report
• 2019 Gender Balance Report

Events

Organises and hosts events led by policy professionals, academics, practitioners, and students. The objective of the Events Committee is to enable learning, discussion, and action to address the challenges facing womxn personally and professionally both within the School of Public Policy and in the broader intersection between gender and policy.

Previous initiatives include:

• Hosting speaker discussions with Q&As
  • Breakfast and Bias with Professor Rubio Marquez
  • Gender, Inclusivity and Policy panel with Dr. Hochstetler and Professor Rubio Marquez
  • Allyship and Inclusivity workshop with Beyond Equality
• Hosting career panels and personal development events and trainings
  • Women in Consulting 
  • Time Management workshop with the head of HKS Women's Network
• Providing tickets and access to global (virtual) conferences
  • Women’s Economic Forum Global Conference

Professional Development

Provides opportunities for students from the School of Public Policy to build connections with and learn from SPP alumni, policy practitioners, academics, speakers, and fellow students. The objective of the Professional Development pillar is to advance gender balanced leadership both within the SPP as well as in professional settings by providing resources like mentoring and professional and interpersonal skills workshops. Our aim is to help womxn find solutions to barriers they may face professionally and ultimately support them in achieving their career goals.

Previous initiatives include:

• Annual mentorship program with SPP alumni and students

Terms of Reference

1.     Purpose

1.1.  To give space for the voices, concerns, and experiences of womxn at the School of Public Policy and beyond.

1.2.  To ensure the previous, current, and future experiences of all womxn are integrated into policy design and practice in the School of Public Policy and beyond.

1.3.  To ensure that policy debate and legislation within the School of Public Policy are not gender neutral and instead take a necessary intersectional and gendered perspective.

2.     Membership

2.1.  The Womxn’s Network holds open membership for students in the School of Public Policy and encourages all individuals to join and play an active role in the organisation.

2.2.  It is expected that all members of The Womxn’s Network support the principles of inclusion, diversity, democracy, women’s rights, human rights, equality, and social and economic justice for all.

3.     Function

3.1.  To act as an independent forum for LSE students and staff to raise gender- and/or sexuality-specific matters for consideration.

3.2.  To share information that represents womxn’s intersectional perspectives on political, social, economic, and cultural matters.

3.3.  To influence School of Public Policy staff in building a more inclusive environment and curriculum that represents all womxn and their experiences.

3.4.  To serve as a liaison between School of Public Policy staff and students on gender- and/or sexuality-specific initiatives, including complaints and situations of bias as they occur.

3.5.  Committees

3.5.1.     Advocacy: Drives the network’s advocacy agenda by pressing for change on gender issues within the School of Public Policy, LSE community, and beyond. The objective of the Advocacy Committee is to challenge and change the political, economic, and social systems, institutions, and practices that create inequitable conditions for womxn and other marginalised populations.

3.5.2.     Professional Development: Provides opportunities for students from the School of Public Policy (SPP) to build connections with and learn from SPP alumni, policy practitioners, academics, speakers, and fellow students. The objective of the Professional Development pillar is to advance gender balanced leadership both within the SPP as well as in professional settings by providing resources like mentoring and professional and interpersonal skills workshops. Our aim is to help womxn find solutions to barriers they may face professionally and ultimately support them in achieving their career goals.

3.5.3.     Events: Organises and hosts events led by policy professionals, academics, practitioners, and students. The objective of the Events Committee is to enable learning, discussion, and action to address the challenges facing womxn personally and professionally both within the School of Public Policy and in the broader intersection between gender, sexuality, and policy.

4.   Organisational Structure

4.1 Commits to being non-hierarchical in structure and function, encouraging the free expression of thought and ideas. 

The 2024–25 academic year was one of growth, visibility, and impact for the SPP Women’s Network Board. Among its most significant achievements was the release of the SPP Curriculum Report, the first since 2021. The report provided an in-depth review of the School of Public Policy’s courses and put forward clear recommendations on how diversity and inclusion could be further embedded within teaching and learning. By placing a spotlight on the curriculum, the board helped to spark conversations about representation and ensured that diversity remains at the heart of SPP’s academic agenda.

Another key success was the board’s proposal for SPP to provide free sanitary products for staff and students. With the support of the SPP EDI Committee, this recommendation was implemented and led to the installation of a dedicated kiosk on the 5th floor. This initiative addressed a practical need while also signalling SPP’s commitment to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment for all.

The board also prioritised strengthening community and visibility. Highlights included the Women of Westminster walking tour, which celebrated women’s contributions to public life, and a lively panel event that created space for open discussion and knowledge sharing. 

Together, these achievements demonstrate the Women’s Network Board’s ongoing commitment to driving meaningful cultural change within SPP and ensuring that its work brings tangible benefits to students, staff, and the wider LSE community.

The Womxn’s Network welcomes the opportunity to work with partners on new projects, including advocacy, events, or professional development initiatives, as well as opportunities outside of these pillars (e.g., research, consultancy work).

To get in touch about partnering with the Womxn’s Network, please reach out to spp.womxns.network@lse.ac.uk.

Current partners include: