Cardiff Woman lecture: Over by here from over by there

Everyone who has met our Head of Healthcare Sciences knows that in Professor Sheila Hunt we have a leading academic who can truly inspire women to achieve their full potential. Having launched the Cardiff Woman initiative in September, I was delighted to attend the first lecture given by Professor Hunt. A perfect choice for an initiative designed to empower women across the University. Entitled Over by here from over by there – serendipity, bravery and a bit of magic in an unconventional career, Sheila took us through her extraordinary journey from a midwife in St David’s Hospital, Cardiff to becoming Head of School in three universities – Birmingham, Dundee and finally Cardiff.

What made the crucial difference in her career was mentoring. She has had at least three mentors, men as well as women, and the key was that each had encouraged her self-belief and freed her to take risks. And the title of her talk? As a young girl Sheila moved with her family from Lancashire to Aberdare and one of the first local phrases that stuck in her mind was when she was being summoned by a neighbour to cross the road. Come “over by here from over by there” has a friendly lyricism and captures an unconventional journey. Email us to find out more about Cardiff Woman.