Unlimited Potential: Careers free from stereotypes

THIS EQUAL PLAY WEBINAR TOOK PLACE ON WEDNESDAY 5TH JULY 2023

This online panel and Q&A event examined the role that stereotyping in early childhood plays in the career decisions and outcomes of children. Together we will seek to tackle stereotypes that limit children from achieving their potential in the education and career choices they make, whether that is girls taking up STEM subjects or boys pursuing careers in caring professions.

With an inspiring expert panel sharing how they have tackled gender stereotyping to break the mould and offering practical tips and advice for parents, caregivers, career advisors and teachers on encouraging children to expand their choices, concentrating on individual strengths and aspirations rather than those they are expected to be in. 

  That was really inspiring - wish I had heard this when i was a little girl

Below is a list of useful resources that were shared by our panelists and viewers during the event: 

• Find out more about how Stemettes supports parents
• Find out more about inclusive careers at WATES

 Supporting kids online:

• Internet Matters
• 02 safety tips 
• Glitch Charity 
• Parents and carers CEOP Education

 Support for gender equality entering the world of work:

• What Do Construction Workers Do?
• Bloody Good Employers 
• CIOB #PPEThatFits Campaign 
• Wates is attracting talent with a new work experience model 
• WATES Beacon Programme

Other resources for teachers and influential adults

• Gender Action 
• Penguin Lit in Colour project

 

More about our Speakers:

Yasmin Qureshi MP 

Yasmin Qureshi is the MP for Bolton Southeast and Shadow Women and Equalities Minister.

Yasmin was elected to Parliament in 2010, during that time she has served as Shadow International Development Minister where she oversaw scrutiny of the UK Government’s agenda in South Asia, on gender equality and good governance. She has also served as a shadow justice minister overseeing the Government’s agenda on prisons and probation, and later courts.

In addition to this she has been leading a parliamentary campaign for the victims of a drug called Primodos, which was given to pregnant women in the 1950s, 60s and 70s and resulted in many thousands of babies being born with deformities, as Chair of the APPG on Hormone Pregnancy Tests. Yasmin is also the Chair of the APPG on Dentistry.

Prior to becoming an MP, Yasmin was a practising barrister in criminal law for the Crown Prosecution Service and later in private practice. In the early 2000s she worked for the UN Mission in Kosovo on developing the Department of Justice.

Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE

Computer scientist and STEM pioneer Anne Marie was the youngest girl ever to pass A-level computing, and was just 20 when she received her Masters Degree in Mathematics and Computer Science from the University of Oxford.

Accolades include Honorary Doctorates from Open University, Glasgow Caledonian University, Kent University, Bristol University & Coventry University and an Honorary Fellowship at Keble College, Oxford. She is also a Visiting Professor at the University of Sunderland and sits on the Council of Research England as well as being the current President of the British Science Association.

It is this wealth of experience and pioneering spirit that led her to co-found the Stemettes, an award-winning social initiative dedicated to inspiring and promoting the next generation of young women in the STEM sectors.

Eoghan O'Lionaird 

Eoghan O’Lionaird joined the UK’s leading family-owned building, development and property services company, Wates Group, as Chief Executive in February 2023, and sits on the Group’s Board and Executive Committee. He was previously Chief Executive of FTSE-listed marine services company James Fisher and Sons plc and has held executive roles at Spectris plc, Danaher Corporation, Philips and Mitsui Kinzoku. Eoghan is fluent in Irish and Japanese, and has Bachelor and Masters degrees in engineering  as well as an MBA. As Chief Executive, he is committed to increasing diversity both within Wates, and the built environment sector, and to creating an inclusive environment for a better, more sustainable, and more successful business.

Chair: 

Alesha De-Freitas 

Fawcett’s Head of Policy, Research and Advocacy. Working on ground-breaking research and developing evidence-based policies that truly centre the voices and experiences concerning women today.

Alesha's background is in economic, regulatory and trade policy. Prior to joining Fawcett, she worked in the Civil Service for 15 years, most recently in the Department for Business as Deputy Director for Competition Policy. In 2017, Alesha was awarded an MBE for services to the digital single market.

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