Women in Politics Society Hosts Second Annual National Conference

The University of St Andrews hosted the second annual national Women in Politics conference on 10 and 11 October, bringing together students from across the UK for two days of discussions, workshops, and networking focused on careers in public life.

Organised in collaboration with the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow, the conference aimed to address barriers facing women entering careers in politics, policymaking, public affairs, and related sectors. Building on last year’s inaugural conference, organisers prepared to welcome up to 300 students.

The programme featured keynote addresses from Deputy First Minister Jenny Gilruth, University of St Andrews Chancellor Dame Anne Pringle, and North East Fife MP Wendy Chamberlain. Attendees could also join panels exploring subjects from feminist activism to healthcare policy, alongside workshops intended to develop professional skills.

Speaking to The Saint, the St Andrews Women in Politics team said hosting the conference reflected its wider aim of creating opportunities for women interested in political careers.

“Our organisation was founded with the goal of increasing community engagement with women’s issues in international affairs and providing pre-professional opportunities to women interested in political careers,” the team said.

“We are particularly focused on giving our attendees the opportunity to explore political roles beyond elected officials and meet other like-minded young professionals with whom they can connect and discuss their interests.”

Committee member Éva Bergin said the event provided an opportunity to build that community. “One thing I have learned from our discussion events over the past year has been that being a woman in politics is not easy,” she told The Saint. 

Bergin hoped the conference would challenge some of those obstacles, offering young women the chance to speak directly with established figures and develop greater confidence in their ambitions. 

She also acknowledged the efforts of chief organisers Lucy Stevenson and Claire Waskow, alongside the wider committee, in preparing the weekend.

“Our committee has been working 24/7 to ensure active and effective communication with one another,” organisers said.

At a workshop addressing environmental policy and its intersection with women’s rights, MSP for Glasgow South Side, Holly Bruce, spoke about barriers to participation in politics, including parliamentary working arrangements and harassment. 

Describing a “hostile environment,” Bruce argued that political work was insufficiently flexible for parents and carers, particularly single mothers and those breastfeeding. She also described receiving “rape threats, death threats,” and misogynistic abuse, while acknowledging that leadership inevitably attracts criticism.

Bruce said that when criticism crosses “that line of disrespect,” she challenges it. She raised concerns about sexual harassment and stalking within politics. “It shouldn’t be just up to us to say stop this,” she said.

Her remarks highlighted how political careers can depend on workplace culture, caring responsibilities, and safety as well as professional opportunities. 

The University has also expressed its support for the event, highlighting the importance of young women to enter public life amid growing scrutiny of women in prominent positions.

The spokesperson welcomed the involvement of Principal Dame Sally Mapstone and Chancellor Dame Anne Pringle alongside academic and professional services staff.

Describing Women In Politics as a non-partisan society that promotes democratic engagement, the University praised the students responsible for bringing prominent figures from Scottish and UK public life to St Andrews: “It is also a well-deserved recognition of the efforts of those involved in the Women in Politics society that St Andrews[hosted] several women operating at the very highest levels of Scottish and UK politics and public life at the conference.”

“If our attendees leave the conference with a greater confidence in their career prospects and a stronger sense of community, then our team will be sure that the event was a success.”

Image Courtesy of Petra Pender