Celebrating LSST’s Empowered Academic Women
By Kunal Chan Mehta | Article Date: 18 June 2024
LSST proudly celebrates the exceptional leadership and the tremendous sense of self-worth of its academic women. Representing more than half of our staff – and thus more than half our potential – these women embody a wealth of influence. By highlighting LSST’s empowered women and their ability to make their own choices, we pay tribute to their achievements and share their invaluable insights to inspire the next generation of female leaders and trailblazers.
‘The way the academic world looks at — and appreciates — women is central to our empowerment ethos,’ says Eniana Gobuzi, the newly appointed Associate Dean of LSST Elephant and Castle (London), who joined in 2017 in an academic support role and quickly advanced up the LSST career ladder. ‘It’s more than a mission — it’s a call to action resonating with each person who joins our journey toward a more equitable world. Let’s celebrate best practices and recognise those making a difference to the potential of LSST’s women. If we continue to do this right, what happens next could change everything.’
Syed Rizvi, Academic Dean at LSST Elephant and Castle and LSST’s Dean of Teaching and Learning, a driving force behind Eniana’s transformation and that of many others, has been instrumental in promoting women’s rights, training and development across LSST. He supports their journeys from junior to senior positions. ‘LSST is dedicated to the empowerment of women and fostering an environment where women can excel and prosper in leadership roles,’ says Syed. ‘While there is always more we can do, we are committed to breaking down any barriers and creating a culture that supports women at every stage of their LSST journey.’
At LSST, diversity is a vital pillar underpinning our success. By championing women in academia and nurturing a more gender-diverse and inclusive workplace, LSST boasts an advantage with its unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment. By fostering an ethos supporting female staff progression into leadership positions, LSST enables its women to thrive, lead, and inspire others. ‘We remind LSST’s women that we are capable of doing everything men are capable of doing. We have invested time and effort in getting the right qualifications and have the flexibility from LSST to be part of the never-ending learning process. We stand out by commending the dedicated efforts of those who build meaningful connections to advance women’s rights and promote gender equality within LSST,‘ adds Eniana Gobuzi, Associate Dean at LSST Elephant and Castle.
Junior to Leadership Positions
At every step, LSST’s empowered women continue to break down barriers and build a future where women’s voices are heard and celebrated. Renata Carvalho, a proud mother of two and Academic Team Leader at LSST’s soon-to-open Stratford campus, reflects on her inspirational journey. ‘The first thing I loved about LSST is that its women are in the places where decisions are being made. I started as a LSST business student in 2017 and soon became LSST’s Student Union President. This swift progression gave me the confidence to become a Business Lecturer at LSST – to give something back – and then a Course Coordinator. Now, through the same support, I am an Academic Team Lead. The peer encouragement I get makes all the difference,’ she shares. ‘This can only come from a culture that values female leadership and actively promotes it from its core.’
‘To celebrate my student-to-staff journey, LSST plastered a giant poster of my graduation across our Luton campus. That was one of the proudest days of my life,’ Renata added, ‘Our commitment to promoting women’s empowerment can be sustained through the collective dedication of everyone – students, staff and alumni. This entails ongoing exposure, dialogue, and nurturing meaningful connections to ensure the continual advancement and support of LSST’s wonderful women.’
‘LSST’s environment of inclusivity and equality has helped me thrive in my career,’ notes Irena Vera, Programme Manager for LSST’s accredited UWL Business and Health courses, who began her journey as an Academic Support Tutor in 2020 at LSST Elephant and Castle. ‘As soon as I started, I was encouraged by my team to attend professional courses. To date, I have completed my teaching qualification and have attended numerous courses that all helped me progress in my LSST career.’
Advocating gender equality, Irena added, ‘The continuous support for diversity and inclusion at LSST fosters an equitable academic environment and paves the way for a more inclusive future for everyone. This commitment to equality is why I am proud to be part of LSST’s academic community.’
Championing Women’s Rights
Under Syed Rizvi’s leadership, an inclusive culture has flourished at LSST. His dedication to championing women is evident through the initiation of numerous programmes and the support of policies encouraging female staff to aspire to and attain leadership roles. Remarkably, seven of the nine women in leadership positions at LSST directly collaborate with him, illustrating his steadfast dedication to promoting women’s leadership within the organisation.
‘Syed has not only helped women advance at LSST as leaders, but through his vast knowledge and experience he has also created a supportive environment where their contributions are heard, valued and celebrated. He has been the driving force behind initiatives that empower women, demonstrating that LSST is not just about gender equality — it’s about creating a space where women can learn and lead with confidence,’ added Eniana Gobuzi, Associate Dean at LSST Elephant and Castle.
‘We want LSST women at every level, especially in leadership roles, to continue reshaping the landscape, reimagining dialogue, and ensuring their voices are recognised and respected,’ espouses Bindu Shaiju, LSST’s Course Leader for BNU Business courses who serves as a mentor and role model for new LSST female staff.
LSST’s focus on gender equality extends beyond leadership roles. Fabiana Bernardi, Academic Team Leader at LSST Elephant and Castle, emphasises LSST’s commitment to equal opportunities. ‘LSST is a place for equal opportunities and empowered me towards leadership roles that I once never believed I could do,’ she says. ‘This culture of inclusivity at every stage of our journey is essential to LSST’s success and growth. We should all continue to support such good practice and flag any bad practice.’
‘The inclusive environment at LSST allows women to become empowered and thus contribute to the institution’s success while also pursuing their personal and professional goals,’ explains Nahla Abbas, Academic Team Leader at LSST Wembley. ‘As a lecturer, my goal was always to foster an inclusive atmosphere that respects and celebrates differences because LSST’s commitment to empowering women has profoundly shaped my academic trajectory. I have taken it upon myself to share this with junior women staff at LSST to pay this forward as I want them to do the same.’
LSST’s women are not just leaders within the organisation but serve as role models for the entire academic community. Their journeys demonstrate the power of a supportive and inclusive environment. Mahrou Rezania, LSST’s Course Leader for DMU Business and DET courses, sums it up: ‘Yes we are LSST’s empowered women – but we are also LSST’s emerging women. The dedication to empowering women across LSST provides an environment that shapes our growth and opportunities.’
‘This means that every time a LSST woman stands up for her rights, she stands up for all LSST women. As LSST continues to advance women’s rights and champion gender equality, the stories of LSST’s empowered women inspire others to pursue their goals with determination, resilience and the knowledge that they are valued and supported,’ she added.
Diversity and Dialogue is our Strength
‘When LSST’s women stand together, we stand at the forefront of women’s empowerment,’ commented Renata Carvalho, Academic Team Leader in Business courses at LSST’s soon-to-open Stratford campus. ‘Fostering a community where LSST’s women can thrive academically and professionally isn’t just a commitment — it’s a movement that encourages open dialogue, connections, and the pursuit of gender equality. Through these efforts, I am confident LSST will become a hub for women whose stories exemplify diversity and transformation everywhere.’
LSST’s commitment to women’s empowerment is more than a slogan; it’s a tangible reality. For example, combatting racial injustice and supporting Black and ethnically marginalised talent is paramount to LSST’s empowerment ethos. Dr Maryam Idris-Usman, Academic Team Leader at LSST Birmingham, captures this sentiment saying, ‘LSST has significantly enabled me to navigate the intersecting realities of being a Black Muslim female academic through its equal opportunities policy.’ For Dr Maryam Idris-Usman, LSST’s approach to equality provided her with a clear path from lecturer to leader, allowing her to excel and inspire others. ‘A profound moment for me was being selected as part of a team to establish LSST’s Annual Research Symposium and winning an award for best research, which subsequently led me to be selected to lead LSST’s Research Centre. This exemplifies LSST’s ongoing encouragement and commitment to recognising hard work and commitment to empower women into leadership roles.’
‘The dedication to women’s rights at LSST is evident in its policies and inclusive culture,’ adds Fabiana Bernardi, Academic Team Leader at LSST’s Elephant and Castle. ‘LSST is to be celebrated as a place for equal opportunities that has empowered women such as myself into leadership roles.’ The progressive approach to gender equality has not only supported Fabiana’s career growth but has also allowed her to become one of many female role models within LSST’s academic community. ‘If a woman finds success at LSST, she should support and uplift other women still striving for it,’ she adds.
A Culture of Inclusivity
LSST’s success is rooted in its inclusive culture, which prioritises diversity and supports women in leadership roles. Irena Vera, Programme Manager for LSST’s UWL Business & Health courses, attests to the impact of this culture on her career progression. ‘Along with the women in my team, I have always felt supported both personally and professionally. I believe this environment of inclusivity and equality has helped many of us thrive and grow in our careers – and we must keep this going.’
At the heart of LSST’s strength lies its dedication to nurturing connections and empowering women through inclusive networks. Dr Maria Bastos, Course Leader of LSST’s accredited BNU and DMU Health courses, attests to the profound impact of LSST’s community on the transformation and advancement of women. ‘LSST has contributed immensely to the transformation and advancement of women and their lives through community,’ she states. Dr Bastos underscores the pivotal role of students in these communities, noting, ‘My career has been transformed by my interactions with LSST’s students. Their knowledge, my process of unlearning, their lived experiences, and our collective efforts to challenge societal structures hindering the empowerment of women and minorities have all been instrumental in this transformation.’
LSST’s empowered women pave the way for a brighter future where gender is not a barrier to success. Mahrou Rezania, Course Leader for DMU Business and DET courses, captures this spirit stating, ‘We do not take progress for granted. Every female journey at LSST reflects our commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a culture where all women can flourish.’
A Culture of Inclusivity
LSST’s success is rooted in its inclusive culture, which prioritises diversity and supports women in leadership roles. Irena Vera, Programme Manager for LSST’s UWL Business & Health courses, attests to the impact of this culture on her career progression. ‘Along with the women in my team, I have always felt supported both personally and professionally. I believe this environment of inclusivity and equality has helped many of us thrive and grow in our careers – and we must keep this going.’
At the heart of LSST’s strength lies its dedication to nurturing connections and empowering women through inclusive networks. Dr Maria Bastos, Course Leader of LSST’s accredited BNU and DMU Health courses, attests to the profound impact of LSST’s community on the transformation and advancement of women. ‘LSST has contributed immensely to the transformation and advancement of women and their lives through community,’ she states. Dr Bastos underscores the pivotal role of students in these communities, noting, ‘My career has been transformed by my interactions with LSST’s students. Their knowledge, my process of unlearning, their lived experiences, and our collective efforts to challenge societal structures hindering the empowerment of women and minorities have all been instrumental in this transformation.’
LSST’s empowered women pave the way for a brighter future where gender is not a barrier to success. Mahrou Rezania, Course Leader for DMU Business and DET courses, captures this spirit stating, ‘We do not take progress for granted. Every female journey at LSST reflects our commitment to breaking down barriers and creating a culture where all women can flourish.’
Reflection to Action
Dr Maryam Idris-Usman, Academic Team Leader at LSST Birmingham, says ‘We’ve always taken pride in championing diversity at LSST. Women’s participation, empowerment and the battle against stereotypes must be at the heart of everything we do. We can strengthen women’s self-confidence by highlighting the confident LSST women ready to support others.’
‘Since the global pandemic in 2020, there’s been a huge re-evaluation of the role that work plays in people’s lives – especially the lives of women,’ adds Eniana Gobuzi, Associate Dean at LSST Elephant and Castle. ‘This is an opportunity to reexamine how we support LSST women while they’re here. As everyone navigates changing attitudes about meaningful academic careers at LSST, our dedication to helping our staff succeed is deeper than ever.’
Bindu Shaiju, LSST’s Course Leader for BNU Business courses, suggests, ‘We need to co-create solutions to advance gender equity further. I am passionate about providing platforms for LSST’s women to explore innovative ideas and develop networks that address gender-related challenges.’
Women’s Empowerment and Academic Development
At LSST, women empowerment and academic development are closely linked: on one hand, development alone can play a major role in driving down inequality between men and women and, on the other, empowering women per se may benefit development. For example, Dr Maryam Idris-Usman, Academic Team Leader at LSST Birmingham, who started LSST in 2020, describes the connection, ‘With the right support and mentorship, LSST’s women can break barriers and lead with confidence and purpose. Simply put, women’s empowerment and development mutually reinforce each other and LSST’s women must be reminded that they are equal partners.’
Dr Idris-Usman suggests, that neither economic development nor women’s empowerment is the final solution but, to bring about equity, it will be necessary to continue to take action against anything that favours men at the expense of women. She adds, ‘Women still bear the larger share of responsibility for childcare, domestic duties, and, increasingly, care for other adults.’
‘This larger share of responsibility is impacting women’s mental health. And, as a mother of two, the lack of affordable childcare adds to this burden forcing many women to choose between their careers and their home responsibilities. We sincerely hope our best practices and critical insight will help push ahead with sustained change and enable gender equality,’ asserts Renata Carvalho, Academic Team Leader at LSST’s upcoming Stratford Campus.
Irena Vera, Programme Manager for LSST’s accredited UWL Business and Health courses, describing best practice adds, ‘Without retention, there can be no development. The career advancement, learning and development, and work-life balance of LSST’s women are essential to retention.’
‘Women at LSST like myself feel confident about reporting non-inclusive behaviours. We have not been ignored,’ says Mahrou Rezania, LSST’s Course Leader for DMU Business and DET courses, ‘Additionally, I have always felt supported by LSST to balance my work responsibilities with other commitments and having spoken with other women at LSST, I am pleased that I am not the only one. LSST’s women can work together and further understand what could be driving workplace stress and unearth pressing issues for women.’
Bindu Shaiju, LSST’s Course Leader for BNU Business courses, added, ‘Being a woman at LSST is not a disadvantage – and it should never be. LSST’s women must always feel open about their feelings without fear of penalty. LSST women should also speak up regarding working hours, workload and unclear expectations. The way things are, LSST has normalised conversations around women’s health – personal or otherwise.’
Sharing best practice
In professional environments, it is often observed that communication primarily occurs when tasks require clarity or completion or when help is being sought. This tendency is particularly evident in academic settings. Specifically, it is essential to proactively recognise and acknowledge the achievements of female peers or team members. By celebrating their strengths and accomplishments, LSST can contribute to fostering a more inclusive and supportive work culture.
‘One of our greatest strengths is our ability to celebrate one another. But there is a common misconception that the need for praise diminishes in adulthood,’ says Irena Vera, Programme Manager for LSST’s accredited UWL Business and Health courses. ‘In fact, praise and recognition play pivotal roles in enhancing employee morale and hence the absence of recognition is a likely factor in employee turnover.’
‘Therefore, it is incumbent on LSST colleagues to actively promote the recognition of their female counterparts’ competencies and achievements. By amplifying their successes and talents, everyone at LSST can create an environment that values and empowers all members, thereby contributing to greater job satisfaction and retention. LSST is more than bricks, walls and computers – it’s a community of real people.’
‘We must accept that not all women are the same,’ cautions Fabiana Bernardi, Academic Team Leader in Business courses at LSST Elephant and Castle. ‘Everyone must accept and embrace individuality and not expect them to stick to a stereotypical idea.’
‘We understand the crucial importance of acknowledging and maximising the contributions of women, as well as unlocking their complete potential, to foster a flourishing society,’ says Eniana Gobuzi, Associate Dean at LSST Elephant and Castle. ‘Creativity blooms in any diverse culture. That’s why we make it our business to inspire a diversity of female talent throughout LSST.’
Acknowledgements This article would not have been possible without the collaboration of LSST’s empowered women. The author is deeply grateful for their sincerity, openness and their time. Special thanks go to Syed Rizvi for coordinating the author’s questions with LSST’s empowered women and for facilitating photography.
For more information about our women’s empowerment initiatives, please get in touch with Eniana, Associate Dean at LSST Elephant and Castle, at eniana.gobuzi@lsst.ac or contact the author, Kunal Chan Mehta, at kunal.mehta@lsst.ac.
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