New network driving change for women in legal academia
27 August 2026
A new network is bringing women in legal academia together across Wales and beyond, creating opportunities for collaboration, knowledge sharing, and making meaningful change in research culture.
‘Collaborative Futures: A Research Culture Network for Women in Legal Academia in Wales and Beyond’ was established with funding from the Learned Society of Wales under its Research Culture Network Scheme to unite women researchers, increase visibility, share experiences, and challenge research cultures.
The peer-led initiative supports women at all career stages, with a particular focus on mentoring, peer support and opportunities for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and doctoral students.
Its inaugural workshop, held at Cardiff School of Law and Politics in May 2026, attracted nearly 40 participants from institutions across the UK, with both in-person and online attendance ensuring broad accessibility. Through presentations, panel discussions and interactive activities, participants explored themes including mentoring, imposter syndrome, mental health, caring responsibilities, and collaborative research practices.
A follow-up workshop in July helped build on these conversations and shape the network's future direction.
Dr Stanislava Nedeva, lead organiser of the network, says:
“We are delighted and honoured to have seen such a good engagement with the network and to be able to work towards community-building and collegiality for women in legal academia.”
She added, “in taking this initiative further, we are already discussing our future conference and smaller thematic activities.”
The network is already having a tangible impact. Participants reported feeling less isolated and more confident in contributing to academic discussions. Many also identified new opportunities for research collaboration and valued having a supportive space to discuss challenges that are often overlooked in academia.
By promoting inclusion, accessibility, and peer-led support, the network is helping build a stronger, more sustainable research culture while also generating recommendations for broader institutional change.
The initiative's success has already been recognised through its shortlisting for the Hywel Thomas ECR Prize for Research Culture and Community Leadership, highlighting its growing contribution to supporting researchers and strengthening academic communities.
For more information, please contact the network organisers: Dr Stanislava Nedeva and Anna Katsoulaki.
