Positions available on the WCC UK Steering Committee
by lizgloyn
In the circumstances of the current pandemic, it has become all too clear just how important our networks are, both within our families and our wider communities, personal and professional. It may feel like a strange time to share opportunities to join the WCC UK, particularly in a period where UK higher education has already been taking its toll on all of us with the stresses of precarity, unmanageable workloads, and rising stress levels. It often feels like nothing can be done to change things. However, the work of the WCC UK does make a difference, whether in getting like-minded people together, advocating for better policies, or leading the conversation in UK classics around equality issues. You don’t have to be in a senior academic position to take on a role, and our steering committee members have found being involved an empowering and helpful experience. We hope that our members and supporters will consider these opportunities for getting involved and for making UK Classics a better place for us all.
If you are interested in taking on any of these roles or would like to find out more, please drop us a line at womensclassicalcommittee at gmail.com!
Treasurer: this is one of the major roles on the steering committee and is held for a position of five years. Our current treasurer is due to stand down at the next AGM, but has agreed to manage a handover. The role description includes taking charge of bank account and membership administration, some fund-raising, supporting events, and handling our small grants scheme. This position would suit someone involved in higher education who knows the language of grant bids, as writing them is a significant part of the role. It might suit a retired member who has had previous financial experience.
Ethnic minorities liaison: one of our ethnic minority liaison posts is currently vacant. This liaison is responsible for making sure issues concerning BAME classicists are heard on the steering committee. We are currently reviewing support for this role since we recognise the considerable amount of work that it involves, and that much of that often falls on junior, precarious colleagues. This is a voluntary position lasting two years and would begin at the AGM.
PhD liaison: our current liaison will step down at the AGM (as she hopes not to be a PhD student for very much longer!). The PhD liaison is responsible for making sure the voice of PhD students is heard on the steering committee. This is a voluntary position lasting two years and would begin at the AGM.
Social media team: we are looking to grow our group of volunteers who oversee the website, the Twitter account and our Facebook page. This is a role which can take as much or as little time as you wish to give to it; the team is open to more members as soon as they’re ready to join.
Administrator: this major role will fall vacant at the 2022 AGM, so we are now starting the process of asking for expressions of interest from people who are interested in taking on this role, to enable some shadowing to take place in advance. It is held for five years. A draft role description is available on request.