Celebrating Success: Nosheen Khan
Title: How can third-sector organisations enhance women’s career outcomes?: A Success Story of the Research Impact Event
The Research Impact event was funded by the Newcastle University Business School Research and Impact Fund, 23. The event held on 5th June 23 was an extraordinary gathering that brought together researchers, practitioners, and third-sector organisations from different sectors under one roof. It aimed to present the research on the role of third-sector organisations that impact women’s career outcomes in the UK labour market and highlights the research’s impact on society at large. The success of the event is captured through how presented research broadened audience perspectives towards supporting women and changing structures for long-lasting success.
The event kicked off with a presentation of key findings from Dr Nosheen Khan’s (Newcastle University) research on typologies of third-sector organisations enhancing women’s career outcomes. Following this, there were a series of captivating keynote speeches by Elizabeth Donnelly (CEO, Women Engineering Society) and Tamitayo Lawal (Senior Programme Manager, Women’s Higher Education Network). These keynote speakers shared the stories of their organisation and particularly mentioned the organisational initiatives that support women’s progression in sectors such as STEM and Education. They highlighted how their organisations through different programmes (MentorSET and Black Women Professors) not only support individual women but also work with employers and the government to bring systematic change.
The Research Impact event served as a platform for attendees from a diverse range of third-sector organizations to engage in knowledge exchange and learning. While some participants may not engage directly in supporting women’s employment, they demonstrated a genuine commitment to prioritising women’s success in all facets of life. The event offered a valuable opportunity for attendees to understand organisational typologies; that is how different organisations are grouped based on their heterogeneity in structures, resources, activities and impact. It served as a catalyst for participants to explore strategies for organisational growth, identify necessary resources, and determine how they can provide effective support to succeed in their respective fields.
The success of the Research Impact event was reflected in the overwhelmingly positive feedback received from participants. The informal nature of the event played a crucial role in fostering connections and encouraging collaborations. Attendees appreciated the opportunity to meet like-minded individuals and at the same time recognised the diversity of the topics discussed because of individuals’ association with a range of third-sector organisations.
To conclude, the event broadened perspectives on the role of women and organisations in supporting women across all spheres of life. Participants collectively recognised the need for more information regarding the types of third-sector organizations that support women’s employment. There was a consensus on the necessity of developing a toolkit or database that would enable individuals to access information about these organisations, gain a deeper understanding of their missions and activities, and explore opportunities for women’s advancement in both their professional and personal lives.