International Women's Day 2026
Sunday 8 March 2026
Give to Gain
We are celebrating International Women’s Day 2026 with an inspiring series of events for women and girls across the community. With the shared goal of forging gender equality through abundant giving, this year’s theme, Give to Gain, reminds us that when we invest in one another, we all rise together.
Reaffirming our commitment to gender equality
This International Women’s Day Kent’s Executive Director of People & Culture Martin Atkinson reflects on and reaffirms our commitment to gender equality for both our staff and students.
Marking International Women’s Day with a Canterbury Community Breakfast
The University of Kent joined the Canterbury community to celebrate International Women’s Day at the popular annual breakfast hosted by Westgate Hall in Canterbury city centre.
Forging gender equality through research
In sport... Lisa Walsh
For years, female footballers have been training in boots made for men’s feet. Lisa is hoping to bridge the gender divide by examining what risk factors play a role in lower limb injuries in females.
In tech... Asta Zokaityte
Asta is calling for support to ensure that the health technology markets behind fertility apps and wearables favour gender health justice.
In healthcare... Sharon Manship
Sharon and her research group co-lead, Kate Day set up the Inclusive Women’s Health Research Group to share opportunities and insights with researchers with a special interest in women’s health.
In therapy... Stella Bolaki
Dr Stella Bolaki has been working with researchers at the University of Essex to explore how workshops can be a a tool for healing for mothers whose children have been adopted without their consent.
In the workplace... Dr Samantha Evans
Dr Samantha Evans, Senior Lecturer in HR Management at Kent Business School, has been delving into what more can be done in the workplace to support menopausal women.
At home... Tim Woodhouse
Through his PhD in the Centre for Health Service Studies, Tim hopes to develop recommendations for professionals who support victims of domestic abuse which may reduce their risk of suicide.
Professor Jennifer Hiscock
Jennifer is a founding member of the Women and Inclusion in Supramolecular Chemistry Network and has worked with Prof Jennifer Leigh and the network to examine a number of issues.
Dr Claire Boucher
Claire’s research uses ultrasound imaging to investigate how the menstrual cycle may influence the thoracolumbar fascia and its potential relationship with lower back pain and physical activity.
Dr Julie Gooderick
Julie's research relates to female athlete performance, with current work including a case study of an Olympic Athlete returning to sport postpartum.
Dr Claire Hurley
Claire’s research focuses on domestic violence and understanding how invisible forms of abuse - such as coercive control - can be recognised and understood through poetry.
Dr Irma Clots-Figueras
Irma’s research examines the consequences of electing women to political office. She uses evidence from India to study how female political leadership affects policy choices.
Dr Afroditi Pina
Afroditi's research examines people who self-report a likelihood of engaging in image-based sexual abuse, and studies the link between perpetration, sexist attitudes and false beliefs about women.
Dr Fernanda Leite Lopez De Leon
Fernanda studies how in-person and social interactions at academic conferences affect women and men’s research productivity and has found that benefits from conferences appear to be gendered.
Events to look forward to
Event date: 3 March 2026
Career Accelerator
- Location: Canterbury campus
Mia Collins, entrepreneur, athlete and former The Apprentice candidate will deliver a series of careers-focused talks to students including sessions ‘Building a Career You Love.’
Event date: 6 March 2026
Networking Breakfast for all!
- Location: Westgate Hall, Canterbury
Women will be gathering for a networking morning and will hear a live performance from the Kent Gospel Choir and a panel shining a light on the Kent’s Sanctuary Scholars Programme and more.
Event date: 6th March 2026
Free fitness classes and Menopause gym sessions
- Location: Canterbury campus
To celebrate International Women's Day offering a variety of free classes and gym sessions to all members of the University of Kent communit
Event date: 24 March 2026
Step up to the mic
- Location: Canterbury campus
Kent alumna and radio 1Xtra DJ Fee Mak returns for her second masterclass for girls aged 14-18. A hands-on experience in radio presenting.
Saturday 7 March
Football extravaganza
We are proud to host the International Women’s Day Extravaganza 2026. Join the Kent FA and Kent Sport for a FREE football session for all women and girls. The day will celebrate female footballers of all ages.
