Mind the Motherhood Gap

The motherhood penalty has wide-ranging impacts - to families, organisations and the economy - yet progress on eliminating it remains slow. This conference asks what we can do about it.

Join us for Mind the Motherhood Gap, a dynamic, solutions-focused conference confronting the motherhood penalty and its wide-ranging impacts.

Drawing on lessons from higher education and beyond, we'll examine what the penalty reveals about how we design work, value contribution, and shape leadership - and explore practical, evidence-based approaches to change.

Through expert panels, lightning talks, interactive discussions, and live audience engagement, we’ll address three pressing questions:

• Why does the motherhood penalty persist even in institutions committed to gender equality — and what does that tell us about what needs to change?
• What lessons can higher education learn from other sectors in addressing the motherhood penalty?
• What would it take for higher education to deliver a world-leading approach to eliminating the motherhood penalty?

• Thought-provoking talks and panels featuring sector leaders, policy experts, and inspiring changemakers
• Real stories and practical insights on what’s working to address the motherhood penalty in academia and beyond
• Interactive sessions where your voice matters - share your questions, ideas, and experiences through live polls and collaborative activities
• Opportunities to connect with others who care about creating a fairer, more supportive environment for all
• Professional Development, building understanding of the motherhood penalty and its impact on organisational culture, leadership, decision-making and people management

Walk away with new insights, practical strategies, and a collective course of action to advance equity for mothers in academia and beyond.

Be part of the conversation. Help us shape the future of leadership and inclusion in higher education.

Speakers:

• Irene Tracey, Vice Chancellor, University of Oxford
• Joeli Brearley, Founder of Pregnant Then Screwed and Growth Spurt
• Tina Miller, Professor of Sociology, Oxford Brookes University
• Dianne Greyson, Founder, #Ethnicity Pay Gap Campaign
• Charoula Tzanakou, Director, Centre for Diversity Policy Research and Practice, Oxford Brookes Business School
• Mahima Mitra, Senior Lecturer in Organisation Studies, Saïd Business School
• Almudena Sevilla, Professor of Economic and Social Policy, London School of Economics
• Susan Harkness, Professor of Social Policy, University of Bristol
• Sally Baden, Head of Athena Swan, Advance HE
• Beth Berry, Author, ‘Mother-whelmed, Challenging Norms, Untangling Truths and Restoring Our Worth to the World’
• Catherine Neiner, Career Development Coach and Consultant, Back to Work, Oxford New Horizons alumna: The impact of motherhood on careers
• Emily Ma, Professor, University of Surrey
• Sarah Forbes, Co-Director, Equal Parenting Project, University of York

Filming and Photography

Please note that filming and photography may take place at this event for communications and promotional purposes. If you prefer not to be filmed or photographed, please let the event organisers know.

Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.

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Host or Publisher Saïd Business School, University of Oxford