International Women’s Day 2026

1pm to 3pm in P/T/005, School of PET building

The Psychology ECR Committee has organised an event in celebration of women in academia. We will have a brief series of talks from a range of amazing women talking about their experiences and research related to gender. There will be refreshments provided, and time for chats and discussions.

Book to attend Celebrating women in academia

12 noon to 1pm, Huntingdon Room (K/122), King's Manor

You are invited to hear the stories of migrant women, and consider how these stories can be represented online via a web-based interactive documentary (i-doc). Zulfiya Hamzaki will share her ongoing doctoral research, including video clips from the project of migrant women discussing their lives. The talk will be followed by Q&A and discussion with the audience.

Book to attend I am a migrant woman

This event is part of the York International Women’s Week programme. 

3pm to 5.30pm, Diana Bowles lecture theatre (B/K/018), Biology building

Hosted by Polly Buxton with a keynote speech from Kiran Trehan, this event will give attendees an opportunity to hear from four inspirational women in PS roles across the University: Ana Macintosh, Becky Bleaden, Sarah Kennedy and Maria Ayaz. Each panellist will give an overview of their current role, their career journey, and their top career and life tips before answering audience questions. Following the event there will be an opportunity for colleagues to network.

Book to attend Just admin?

3pm to 5pm, Room YH/001B, Research Centre for Social Sciences

This workshop is led by women human rights defenders. You’re invited to explore zine making as a space for creativity, dialogue, and solidarity.  We welcome people interested in meeting women who are standing up for human rights across the globe, while also learning simple zine-making techniques. Zines are short booklets that are creative, empowering, and sometimes controversial – a fantastic way to express ideas in an informal way.

Book to attend Crafting resilience

This event is part of the York International Women’s Week programme.

4.30pm to 7pm, Heslington Hall

This event is a collaboration between Kiran Trehan (Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Enterprise, Partnerships and Engagement) and York Students' Union. An inspiring evening of stories, connecting, and community through music, poetry and art to celebrate what has always been at the heart of women's agency - that when we give our time, our wisdom and courage, something extraordinary is returned many times over.

Watch the video invitation

Book to attend When women give, the world gains

1pm to 2.15pm, B/T/019, Biology

The Centre for Women’s Studies present their International Women’s Day keynote lecture, given by Juliana Mensah (English and Related Literature).

Book to attend Words and matter

6pm to 7.30pm, Room D/N/056, Derwent College

Join us for this short film from York St John University and the Yorkshire Film Archive. The film uses archival footage to explore the everyday lives and diverse roles of women in York’s history. It aims to spark conversation about women’s crucial contributions to the city’s development, including the challenges they faced. Following the screening there will be a panel discussion with the researchers behind the film.

Book to attend Women of York

This event is part of the York International Women’s Week programme. 

10am to 4pm, Holgate Building, York St John University  
6pm to 9pm, SPARK York, 17-21 Piccadilly

These are drop-in sessions with no booking required. 

How might we connect bodies and lives? We welcome people of all genders to drop into our workshops to write brief reflections from their life or the lives of others onto a ‘body shape’ template of their choice. We’re especially interested in stories that centre women’s lives. In the evening, everyone is invited (not only those who contributed during the day) to join us at Spark to assemble and entangle these stories and figures in an exploration and celebration of this collaborative project.

Find out more about Entangling Stories and Bodies across York

This event is part of the York International Women’s Week programme. 

6.30pm to 8pm, Fulford Social Hall, School Lane, Fulford, York YO10 4LS

No booking required. 

A presentation on the life and work of Edna Annie Crichton, with particular emphasis on her pioneering role as Councillor, Chair of Housing, and Lord Mayor during the Second World War. She was the first female alderman who was granted freedom of the city and is recognised by a blue plaque on her former home in Clifton. ‘A little woman with the heart of a lion.’

This event is part of the York International Women’s Week programme. 

11.30am to 2.30 pm, Patch, The Bonding Warehouse, Terry Avenue, York YO1 6FA

Discover the transformative potential of auto-photography in this interactive workshop. We will use our cameras to explore our unique experiences, ideas and feelings around 'love' as a force of change. This is a supportive space to reflect individually before coming together to share stories, weaving meaningful connections and a vision of collective care and strength. No professional skills required - just bring your curiosity and a phone camera.

To book your place, email Kai Tsao (ap.with.kai@gmail.com) by Friday 6 March.

This event is part of the York International Women’s Week programme.