Events

CLS IWS Art Exhibition

Monday 2 March - Friday 6 March 2026
Atrium, George Davies Centre

A collection of artwork completed by staff and students on the 2026 International Women’s Day theme ‘Give to Gain’, which emphasises that when we invest in supporting women, we multiply opportunities, empower communities and rise stronger together.

Moments of Empathy: A lunchtime reading with the author of A Time to Care

Wednesday 4 March 2026, 12.30 - 1.30pm
Reading Lounge, David Wilson Library

To tie in with both Empathy Fortnight and the National Year of Reading, author Eleanor Bloomfield will read extracts from her non-fiction work A Time To Care. Before joining the University in 2022, Eleanor spent the coronavirus pandemic working in residential dementia care. A Time to Care offers a hard-hitting insider’s account of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in residential care homes around Britain.

Describing the toll inflicted by the pandemic on residents and staff alike, it also recalls the courage and generosity inspired by extraordinary circumstances. A Time to Care is a challenge, a call to action, and a plea for you not to look away. It sheds light on the day-to-day experiences of care home residents, calling for greater recognition of care staff and the work they do. Above all, it asks you to care.

Find out more (log-in required)

MedRACE Panel Event: Sexism and Sexual Violence towards Medical Students

Wednesday 4 March 2026, 2 - 3pm
0.37, George Davies Centre

A safe space for any staff and students to come together to explore themes relevant to medical students such as how experiences can shape career aspirations, experiences on placement and more.

Dr Emma Bridger Guest Lecture: What can flags tell us about pride, prejudice and polarisation?

Wednesday 4 March 2026, 2 - 4pm
Sir Bob Burgess 2.04

Join the Psychology Society for a guest lecture with Dr Emma Bridger exploring political psychology and the recent “flag wars” through a social psychological lens.

Using a recent UK case study, this session will unpack how flags and national symbols become flashpoints for conflict, and what this reveals about identity, hierarchy, and group dynamics.

Students only.

Find out more

Workshop: Beyond the 70kg Man: The Gender Health Gap in Medicine

Friday 6 March 2026, 1 - 2pm
0.27, George Davies Centre

Delivered by Yitong Li, 5th year medical student, the workshop will cover the gender health gap and its clinical and educational implications, analyse current health trends in gender health and reflect on gender bias and the integration of strategies regarding gender sensitive teaching into the curriculum.

Word! Poetry event

Friday 6 March 2026, 7 - 9pm
Attenborough Arts Centre

Join WORD! – one of the longest running poetry and spoken word events in the UK – for a brand new season at Attenborough Arts Centre! With a vibrant open-mic and acclaimed headlines… “One of the best events I’ve ever read at” (Helen Ivory)… “Great atmosphere. Something is going very right here” (George Szirtes)…”WORD! is a warm, inclusive and vital part of Midlands word culture” (Saboteur Awards).

For more info or to book an open mic slot, drop a line to hello@wordpoetry.co.uk or head to @wordlesta on Instagram.

Register your interest to attend

Women’s Health Café - walk and talk for International Women's Day

Monday 9 March 2026, 12 - 12.45pm
Victoria Park

Our regular Women's Health Cafés take place every 6-8 weeks over lunchtime (12pm - 12.45pm), everyone is welcome to join us to ask questions, share experiences or just listen. You are also very welcome to eat your lunch during the Café.

Open only to University staff and students.

Find out more (log-in required)

Moments of Empathy: A lunchtime reading with the author of A Time to Care

Tuesday 10 March 2026, 12.30 - 1.30pm
Reading Lounge, David Wilson Library

To tie in with both Empathy Fortnight and the National Year of Reading, author Eleanor Bloomfield will read extracts from her non-fiction work A Time To Care. Before joining the University in 2022, Eleanor spent the coronavirus pandemic working in residential dementia care. A Time to Care offers a hard-hitting insider’s account of the impact of the coronavirus pandemic in residential care homes around Britain.

Describing the toll inflicted by the pandemic on residents and staff alike, it also recalls the courage and generosity inspired by extraordinary circumstances. A Time to Care is a challenge, a call to action, and a plea for you not to look away. It sheds light on the day-to-day experiences of care home residents, calling for greater recognition of care staff and the work they do. Above all, it asks you to care.

Find out more (log-in required)

International Women’s Day Fundraiser

Tuesday 10 March 2026, 1 - 4pm
Atrium, Henry Wellcome Building

The School of Biological and Biomedical Sciences EDI Committee will hold a fundraiser in support of Women’s Aid Leicestershire, a charity making a real difference to women and families in our community.

What’s on offer? A tempting selection of homemade jams, jellies, and marmalades—all lovingly crafted and perfect for brightening breakfasts, gifting to friends, or treating yourself (why not!).

Donations of jam and other items, such as books or plants will be welcome on the day. Any food items must be labelled with all ingredients, in line with the Food Safety policy.

Reel Law’s International Women’s Day Screening of Saint Omer

Wednesday 11 March 2026, 4pm - 6.30pm
Attenborough Film Theatre

Fancy a social film viewing? Reel Law are hosting a screening of the film Saint Omer on Wednesday 11th March at 4pm in Attenborough Film Theatre (to finish by 6.30pm).

This film interrogates the (French) criminal justice system through a feminist lens. Pregnant young novelist Rama attends the trial of Laurence Coly, a Senegalese woman accused of murdering her 15-month-old child by leaving her on a beach to be swept away.

Saint Omer (2022) is a French courtroom drama directed by Alice Diop, following a pregnant novelist, Rama, who attends the trial of Laurence Coly, a Senegalese woman accused of murdering her 15-month-old daughter by leaving her on a beach.

Inspired by a true 2013 case, the film explores themes of motherhood, immigration, and trauma.

Women’s Forum Drop-In Lunch

Thursday 12 March 2026, 9.30am - 4pm
MacLellan, Engineering Building

Join the Women’s Forum for a relaxed session with cakes, crafts and books. If anyone has a book they’d like to swap or donate they’re welcome to bring it along.

Health Inequalities Conference

Friday 13 March 2026, 11.30am - 1.30pm
Online

Dr Esther Moss and Dr Natalie Darko will be joined by others to discuss Health Inequalities in Gynaecological Cancer Care. All are invited to this free online conference.

Book your attendance

International Women’s Day Drop-In Event

Monday 16 March 2026, 1 - 3pm
Boardroom, George Davies Centre

Networking and information drop-in event organised by the CLS Gender Equality Working Group, with stalls from Organisational Development, Mentoring and Coaching, Gender Book Club and more. Further information to follow.

The life and times of Agatha Christie

Wednesday 18 March 2026, 12.30 - 1pm
Attenborough Arts Centre

Join Dr Mark Aldridge for a lively introduction to the ‘Queen of Crime’, as we kick off our day-long celebration of all things criminal to mark 50 years since Agatha Christie’s death. Dr Mark Aldridge is an author, speaker and historian, specialising in the work of Agatha Christie.

He has published three books on Christie, with the most recent, Agatha Christie's Marple: Expert on Wickedness (HarperCollins, 2024), winning Crimefest's H.R.F. Keating Award for best critical or biographical work. He is also the co-producer and co-presenter of the podcast The Swinging Christies and Associate Professor of Screen Histories at Southampton Solent University.

Register your interest

Sophie Hannah: Poirot and me 

Wednesday 18 March 2026, 6.30pm - 7.30pm
Salmon Gallery, Sir Bob Burgess Building 

To celebrate Agatha Christie @ 50, international crime-writing superstar Sophie Hannah joins us to talk about her love for Christie and her new series of Hercule Poirot mystery novels.

Sophie Hannah is a Sunday Times, New York Times and Amazon Kindle No. 1 bestselling crime writer whose books have sold more than five million copies and are published in 51 countries. She is the author of the new series of Hercule Poirot mystery novels, and won the UK National Book Awards Crime Novel of the Year prize in 2013, and the Dagger in the Library Award for her body of work in 2023.

Her murder mystery musical movie, The Mystery of Mr E, is available on Amazon Prime and Apple TV. Sophie is an honorary fellow of Lucy Cavendish College, Cambridge, and the founder and coach at Dream Author Coaching where, since 2019, she has helped thousands of writers to achieve greater success and happiness in their professional and personal lives.

Register your interest

Louise Doughty: A life in writing 

Wednesday 18 March 2026,8 - 9pm
Sir Bob Burgess Building

Ahead of the publication of her memoir later this year, Louise Doughty joins us  to discuss her hugely successful and varied writing life. From internationally bestselling, provocative novels that transcend genre stereotypes and have become successful TV dramas, to writing for the screen. Louise will be in conversation with the award-winning writer and University of Leicester Creative Writing Professor, Kit de Waal.

Louise Doughty is the author of ten novels, most recently A Bird in Winter. Her previous books include Platform Seven, filmed for ITVX; Black Water, a New York Times Notable Book of the Year; the bestseller Apple Tree Yard, adapted as a hit mini-series for BBC One; and Whatever You Love, nominated for the Costa Novel Award and the Women’s Prize for fiction.

She has been nominated for many other prizes including the Sunday Times Short Story Prize and the CWA Silver Dagger, along with creating and writing the hit BBC drama Crossfire. Her work has been translated into thirty languages. In August, she will publish her first memoir, On This Spot Fell One Tear of Love, about her parents' love affair in the East Midlands of the 1950s.

New voices, future worlds

Thursday 19 March 2026, 3.30 - 4.30pm
Attenborough Arts Centre

Join us for a panel discussion with some of Fantasy and Science Fiction’s most dazzling and original new voices. Winners of previous ‘Future Worlds Prize’ for writers of colour share the inspirations for their words and worlds.

Panelists:

• M. H. Ayinde is the Sunday Times bestselling author of epic fantasy novel A SONG OF LEGENDS LOST (Orbit UK/Saga Press). Her short fiction has appeared in FIYAH Literary Magazine, F&SF, Fantasy Magazine, and elsewhere, and she was the 2021 winner of the Future Worlds Prize. She lives in London with three generations of her family and their Studio Ghibli obsession.

• Marve Michael Anson has been writing for over a decade and her trade debut fantasy novel, Firstborn of the Sun, the first in a trilogy, was published by Penguin Michael Joseph in October 2025. The novel also earned her finalist placements in several competitions, including the 2023 Future Worlds Prize. Her debut sequel, Heir of the Shadow will be released in fall 2026. Marve is also an award winning filmmaker. When she is not weaving fantastical tales, she can be found embracing life as a serial hobbyist, obsessing over myths and histories, collecting books and carefully curating her personal library, or indulging her unapologetic love of all things Christmas.

• Melanie Reynard is a Lancashire-born writer of science fiction and fantasy. By day, she dabbles in the arts of planting design and social media for a landscaping company; by night, she conjures fantastical realms with words. She lives in Greater London with her young family and a neurotic cat.

Register your interest

Judging major book prizes

Thursday 19 March 2026,5 - 6pm
Attenborough Arts Centre

What's it like to judge a major book prize? Surrounded by a group of serious-minded fellow judges with strong opinions of their own, wider potential considerations, media intrusion - and all while trying to get through dozens of books in a short time. Join our esteemed panel of experts to hear the inside story on the biggest literary prizes, including the Booker, Women's, Climate, Baillie Gifford and English PEN awards.

Panelists: 

• Kit de Waal chaired the Women's Prize for Fiction judging panel in 2025 and is judging the 2026 Climate Fiction Prize. She is the author of the novels THE BEST OF EVERYTHING, MY NAME IS LEON (shortlisted for the Costa First Novel Award and won the Kerry Group Irish Novel of the Year,) THE TRICK TO TIME (longlisted for the Women's Prize for Fiction), a short story collection, SUPPORTING CAST, and a memoir, WITHOUT WARNING & ONLY SOMETIMES (a Radio 4 Book of the Week and shortlisted for Biography of the Year at the Irish Book Awards). She is also editor of the COMMON PEOPLE anthology, and co-founder of the Big Book Weekend festival. MY NAME IS LEON was adapted as a film for BBC Two. Professor Kit de Waal is the Jean Humphreys Writer in Residence at the University of Leicester and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.

• Andrew Holgate was Literary Editor of The Sunday Times for 14 years until 2022, and Deputy Literary Editor for nine years before that. During his editorship he ran two prizes - the Sunday Times Young Writer of the Year Award and the Sunday Times Short Story Award - and also judged several others, including the Baillie Gifford prize for non-fiction, which he chaired in 2021. His book on Mussolini’s execution and the controversies that surround it, Death of a Dictator, will be published in spring 2027.
  
  
• Elleke Boehmer is Professor of World Literature in English at the University of Oxford, and Executive Director of the Oxford Centre for Life Writing. A previous Booker prize judge, Elleke is the author of a wide range of publications, including Colonial and Postcolonial Literature: Migrant Metaphors (OUP, 1995, 2005), Indian Arrivals (ESSE prizewinner 2016); Postcolonial Poetics (2018), and Nelson Mandela (2008, 2023). She is the author of six novels, including The Shouting in the Dark (Olive Schreiner Prize-winner 2019), Screens Against the Sky (1990), Ice Shock (2025), and the short story collections, Sharmilla (2010) and To the Volcano (2019). In 2025-26, Elleke published a trio of books about the ‘far southern edge of the world’, including, most recently, Southern Imagining (Princeton). She is an Elected Fellow of the Australian Humanities Academy, of the Royal Society of Literature, and of the Royal Historical Society. Since 2023, she has been an Extraordinary Professor in English at the University of Pretoria. 

Voice: The Art of the page: A visual poetry workshop with Karenjit Sandhu

Friday 20 March 2026, 12.30 - 1.30pm
Leicester Central Library

Explore how arranging words and marks on a page can create surprising art. Through guided experiments, you’ll try visual poetry, simple instructions and creative layouts that turn blank pages into vibrant expressions.

Karenjit Sandhu is a performance poet. Her publications include gestalt and young girls! (the87press), Poetic Fragments from the Irritating Archive (Guillemot Press), and Baby 19 (intergraphia). She is a Lecturer in Art at the Reading School of Art, and a member of the British Art Network.

Register your interest

From control to influence - a woman's guide to purposeful impact

Two sessions: Monday 23 March and Tuesday 24 March 2026, 1 - 2pm
Online (MS Teams)

In this engaging one-hour lunchtime session, From Control to Influence: A Woman’s Guide to Purposeful Impact, participants will explore Stephen R. Covey’s Circles of Control and Influence model to identify where their energy creates the greatest personal and professional impact. Through guided reflection, creative exercises, and practical coaching tools, attendees will leave with renewed clarity, confidence, and a focused action plan to intentionally expand their circle of influence.

Available to staff and students only.

Register your interest

University of Leicester School of Business and HSBC 

Tuesday 24 March 2026, 10am - 12.30pm
Brookfield School of Business

HSBC’s annual International Women’s Day Event in collaboration with the School of Business (University of Leicester) will be taking place to recognize the achievements and leadership of women. This event is designed for people to connect, share insights and exchange experiences to spark new ideas, hear inspiring stories, and expand your professional network.

To register your interest, please contact laura.petch@hsbc.com.

Wall of Women

Monday 2- Tuesday 31 March 2026

Celebrate International Women's Day with us by dedicating a digital plaque to a woman (staff or student) from the University of Leicester on our virtual Wall of Women.

Submit your nomination