Putting my money where my mouth is

[barretbonden]

I am very lucky to be able to fund an academic scholarship on an ongoing basis.

I'd like to support (born) women doing pro-women research. I mean pro-adult human female.

I know Oxford has a women's programme, and Cambridge a gender studies school.

Do these places have a reputation that might make it an unhappy experience if I approached them?

Is there a uni that is known for a kick-arse women's studies course, or where the academics are stand-out feminists?

Is this a mad hope? It would mean so much to be able to support quality research into the lives of women

you might want to think of supporting outside the academy who are doing vital research on the impact of legislation on women murrayblackburnmackenzie.org/

I think you'll find Oxbridge is incredibly woke unfortunately.

Not sure if this project is still going or needs funding - Oxford:

thepoliticalerasureofsex.org/

You could also consider posting on the Further Education/Universities board on mumsnet if there is one - some uni staff may have inside knowledge?

Isn't there a thread on this board somewhere for gender critical academics ?They'll have a good idea of possibilities. I've also noticed that Transgender Trend works with academics who focus on women's issues and children's safety?

post in Mumsnet academic common room or get in touch with well-know gender critical academics - if this is a serious offer

and think beyond oxbridge. FILIA charity might also be able to help

I have posted in MN academics corner! Yes I'm serious. I own a business that's proving very profitable and I want to put something back.

There are great ideas here thank you.

Dr Emma Hilton founded Project Nettie. Not sure the project itself is what you had in mind but the long list of signatories might provide a starting point for contacts.

projectnettie.wordpress.com

Ovahere that's perfect - great resource to research from, thank you!

At Oxford, there's Professor Selina Todd who is very active in promoting and researching feminist issues of the "female" kind

www.oxfordmartin.ox.ac.uk/womens-equality-and-inequality/

I recall Prof Kathleen Stock at Sussex Uni tweeting last year that her dream would be for any secret millionaires to help fund female-focused young researchers. Her website is here: kathleenstock.com

I was just about to suggest Kathleen Stock.

I think she was awarded something in the Queen's NY honours list too: MBE or similar..

An OBE.

Unfortunately, I doubt that there is a single university in the country that would agree to the terms that a scholarship should be for female people rather than anyone who identifies as a woman. That is certainly the case for all the scholarships I'm aware of that target female participation in traditionally male subjects.

You could also consider helping Raquel Rosario Sanchez, a PhD student from the Dominican Republic studying at Bristol Uni. Her research is on men who buy sex.
She's been treated appallingly by the uni and is in the process of taking them to court - can't link on MN but you can search her name and 'bullying and harassment'.
Her great crime was to chair a women's rights meeting - she was attacked by fellow students and the uni basically just let them while they dragged her into a lengthy complaint process which seemed to be all about saving face for them while hoping she'd just give up and go home.

Another option is joining with a women’s group (or starting your own) offering scholarships or grant money or some other kind of funding to individuals rather than the institutions. The individuals would apply to you to be considered and the money could be paid directly to them or to the institution of their choice (your call). That way you would retain ultimate control as to who it benefits.

There is a name for this type of programme but it escapes me at the moment.

And, congratulations for doing so well that you can now afford to put your money where your mouth is. 😁 I hope to be able to do the same one day.