Our People:Inspirational Women
The University recently ran an initiative to raise the profile of women on campus. The Our People:Inspirational Women exhibition is now available to view online here or in person. In the School of Education we had eleven nominations, including three from SMI. This is an incredible achievement and testament to the wonderful work these women do. Congratulations to Rebecca Lawthom, Liz Wood, Cathy Nutbrown, Sue Cramp, Meesha Warmington, Martina Smith, Sarah Boyne (SoE), Kate Reed, Kitty Nichols, and Kerry Swain (SMI). In this article we hear from some of our nominees.
Professor Elizabeth Wood: Professor of Education
I did my Masters degree at Leeds University with Angela Anning. She was not just a supervisor but an excellent mentor and feminist who acted as an academic midwife as I moved from teaching young children into higher education. I think I have been channelling Angela’s influence over many years in my own mentoring work with colleagues. Speaking with and for women has been a risky business in HE that I know held me back in my career progression at a time when misogyny was normalised. However, being naturally stubborn means that I have persisted with difficulties and have found spaces where I could manage many waves of change and maintain my integrity. If I have been inspirational at the University of Sheffield, it is because I have worked with inspirational colleagues who are willing to share ideas and challenge the status quo — wherever and however it operates.
Mrs Sue Cramp: Student Experience Officer
Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to the path you’re on today?
I started work in the Division of Education (as it was then) in 1976, straight after leaving Stannington College, where I had completed a secretarial course. For most of my career I worked solely in the area of Teacher Training (an area very close to my heart), which is an ever-changing environment, which has meant I’ve had the opportunity to take on additional responsibilities and progress through a number of grade levels. My role changed during a restructure in 2016–17, after which my role was no longer programme-based and became process-based, although it is still very closely linked with our accredited programmes.
Who or what has been your greatest source of inspiration throughout your journey?
I would find it impossible to just think of one source of inspiration after all these years working at the University. Professor Harry Armytage who I worked for in my early years in the School of Education was a very inspirational character. Dr Bryony Black, who I have worked closely with for many years never ceases to amaze me and is someone I also consider to be a great friend… I have had a number of line managers and departmental managers who have constantly inspired me and who have become close friends … and the cohort after cohort of trainee teachers who I’ve seen come and go have also been a source of inspiration.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
To apply the same level of kindness and understanding to yourself as you do to others. It can be all too easy to be harsh on ourselves — turn the thought around and look at it as though you are considering someone else in those circumstances.
Dr Martina Smith: Postdoctoral Research Associate
Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to the path you’re on today?
Originally a primary school teacher I started my University of Sheffield journey on the MA in Early Childhood Education and then continued on to complete an EdD in early childhood disability and parenting. I am currently working as a research associate on the NIHR Tired of Spinning Plates project led by Professor Katherine Runswick-Cole and Professor Sara Ryan. I am incredibly supported in being afforded the flexibility to work in ways that mean I can also take care of my children, the eldest of whom has a life limiting epilepsy diagnosis and learning disabilities. Without the care and support I have received throughout my Sheffield University journey I wouldn’t have the job I love or the ongoing opportunities to establish a career. This kindness and care is something I hope I can pay forward, supporting others, for as long as I am able to continue in paid employment/researching.
Who or what has been your greatest source of inspiration throughout your journey?
My thesis supervisor and current PI Professor Katherine Runswick-Cole — she has modelled the kind of leadership I aspire to.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Surround yourself with women who would mention your name in a room full of opportunities.
Professor Dame Cathy Nutbrown: Professor of Education
Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to the path you’re on today?
I was a nursery teacher in Sheffield in the 1980s, when new theories of emergent literacy development were making their way from the US. Like many nursery teachers at the time, I found it fascinating to learn how spontaneous marks eventually were transformed by young developing writers into conventionally recognised letters and words. Sheffield had its own Sheffield Early Literacy Development Association, where we shared and discussed examples of children’s writing, and thought about how our practice could embrace these new learnings. I was seconded, around 1993, to work at the University of Sheffield, with Professor Peter Hannon on the Sheffield Early Literacy Development Project. We were developing and evaluating ways of working with individual families through home visiting, to share theory and practice of early literacy development, by harnessing home learning. That led to the REAL (Raising Early Achievement in Literacy) project, and the approaches we developed in that project are still being used and adapted around the UK and beyond, in early years settings, services, communities and prisons. From those beginnings, I became a lecturer at the University, and eventually a Professor, and I’m grateful for the opportunities and colleagues I’ve worked with along the way.
Who or what has been your greatest source of inspiration throughout your journey?
Young children, young capable learners, and their parents are my first inspiration. From my early days as a teacher in a well-established Local Authority Nursery School, I was fascinated by young children, their thinking and learning, their curiosity, the dynamics of their play, their tenacious exploration of literacy, and the riches of possibility in working with them. When I met Professor Emeritus Peter Hannon, I was inspired by his ideas on sharing ways of developing early literacy with parents, so that they could enhance their own children’s literacy. Peter’s thinking on on home learning was pioneering, and made utter sense. Children learn in communities and the most important community to young children, is their family. Peter Hannon and I have collaborated for these past 30 years. Throughout my career I’ve been inspired by many colleagues in the field of early childhood education, at Sheffield, and beyond.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
‘When we work for something and it doesn’t quite turn out as we hoped, keep trying’. I’ve often thought of that, and the woman who gave those words to me. We cannot always be successful, but we can try.
Dr Kitty Nichols: University Teacher in Applied Social Sciences — Sheffield Methods Institute
Can you share a bit about your background and what led you to the path you’re on today?
My background is in interdisciplinary research and I have studied sociology and human geography. My undergraduate dissertation work and wonderful teachers sparked my interest in research. From this point on I directed my studies and interests towards social research, eventually ending up teaching methods.
Who or what has been your greatest source of inspiration throughout your journey?
I have been lucky to learn from and work with so many interesting and inspiring people. I continue to be inspired and motivated by my colleagues and cherish opportunities to hear about new ideas and ways of approaching problems. Added to this, my students are a constant source of inspiration, their curiosity and ambition frequently encourages me to see the world a little differently and to try new things.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Someone pointed out that your ‘to do’ list is potentially infinite and so they suggested that I try to be happy with setting small goals and trying to be both kind and realistic in what can be achieved. I am still working on following this advice sometimes, but I find it helpful to remember!
