This year's International Women's Day theme, Give to Gain, resonates strongly with Dr Rachel Shanks' own outlook.
To her, it means “that the person who gives actually gains more than the person who receives.” It’s a principle that shapes how she approaches leadership, collaboration, and support for colleagues across the University.
She brings this ethos into her role as the University’s Interdisciplinary Institute Director for Social Inclusion and Cultural Diversity – a position she notes is ‘definitely the longest job title I've ever had’.
Her career has been anything but linear, among other things she’s been a women's safety minibus driver, law lecturer, employment rights adviser, lifelong learning organiser and education academic. Her current research focuses on research school uniform, dress codes and appearance policies, in particular how school uniform can be made more affordable, comfortable and sustainable.
That breadth of experience informs her commitment to inclusion and her understanding of the different paths people take into academia.
Her advice to women entering or progressing in her field is straightforward: “Don't try to do everything and don't always say 'yes' when asked to take on more work.” Instead, she encourages colleagues to “develop a niche for yourself and practise saying 'no' to work that is not directly related to your niche.” She also highlights a common challenge for women in academic environments: “Try not to be pigeonholed into 'caring' roles.”
When thinking about what she hopes to pass on to the next generation, she stresses the importance of balance and perspective. For this she follows the mantra set down by Professor Patience Schell in the school of Language, Literature, Music and Visual Culture in her 2014 THE article 'Work less, do more, live better'.
Dr Shanks also believes institutions can play a more active role in supporting women’s progression. Her view is that this starts with visibility and intentionality: “By making a conscious effort to put women in the spotlight, for example, when inviting speakers or people to lead projects.”
She reminds us that giving - of time, knowledge, or encouragement - is not a loss but a source of strength and growth for everyone involved.