STEM-PULSE Policy Advocacy Roundtable

Join us at Leeds Beckett University for a focused policy advocacy workshop dedicated to advancing gender-transformative change in STEM higher education across the UK and Ghana. This hybrid event brings together policy influencers, institutional leaders, researchers, and practitioners to translate findings from the STEM-PULSE project into concrete policy recommendations on:

· Addressing women’s underrepresentation in leadership

· Tackling subject segregation in STEM

· Strengthening pathways from STEM education into employment

Through evidence spotlights, policy roundtable discussions, and co-design of recommendations, participants will contribute directly to UK and Ghana policy briefs aimed at shaping institutional, sector and national responses.

In-person attendance is strongly encouraged for UK-based participants.

Be part of a high-impact conversation at the research–policy–practice interface—register now to secure your place.

Programme / List of Presentations

09:50 – 10:00 | Arrival and in-person registration

10:00 – 10:05 | Welcome and opening remarks (Dr Temitayo Omotayo, Leeds Beckett University)

10:05 – 10:15 | Introduction from the British Council (Richard Shiangbor, Director of Programmes and Partnerships)

10:15 – 10:25 | Evidence spotlight: Key findings from the STEM-PULSE UK–Ghana study (Dr Regina Turkson, University of Cape Coast, Ghana)

10:25 – 11:05 | Policy Roundtable 1: Transforming gendered leadership in STEM higher education

Chair: Dr Sandra Obiora, Leeds Beckett University

11:05 – 11:10 | Coffee break

11:10 – 11:50 | Policy Roundtable 2: Tackling subject segregation in STEM

Chair: Dr Kudirat Ayinla (Loughborough University)

11:50 – 12:30 | Policy Roundtable 3: Strengthening pathways from STEM education to employment

Chair: Dr Sandra Obiora & Dr Anderson Akponeware

Panellists for roundtables: Representatives from HE, NGOs (MOLEX foundation, Ghana), UK and Ghana institutional leaders / policy influencers / EDI leads

12:35 – 12:50 | Plenary feedback and next steps

Synthesis of UK and Ghana policy priorities; outline of the two national policy briefs.

Facilitator: Dr Kudirat Ayinla and STEM-PULSE Team

12:50 – 1:00 | Closing remarks (TBC)

1:00 pm | Networking lunch (in-person)

Benefit to Participants:

· Gain actionable strategies for gender-inclusive leadership, curriculum, and employment

· Engage with leading voices and practitioners from the UK and Ghana

· Build professional and research networks across borders

· Enhance understanding of innovative framework and interventions for equity in STEM

*** Supported by funding from the British Council’s Going Global Partnerships programme.

Going Global Partnerships supports universities, colleges and wider education stakeholders around the world to work together towards stronger, equitable, inclusive, more internationally connected higher education, science and TVET. ***