Tell us about your role...

Meg:

I’m supporting the Warwick Transformation programme on a secondment, as the Programme’s Enterprise Architect. Warwick Transformation is all about reviewing our systems, processes and the structure of our Professional Services teams both centrally and in departments, with the goal of making things simpler and more consistent for our staff and student communities.

I love it my job - no two days are ever the same, and it’s a real opportunity to effect positive change for the University!

Sarah:

I lead the Student Information Systems team, which looks after the University’s student-related systems such as SITS and Tabula.

On an average day, I meet with my team and also with one of our sister teams (SITS Development) to discuss progress on work to enhance the SITS system. There will also be other meetings to attend - I might speak with Software Engineering to discuss enhancements to the systems they build and maintain, or check in with colleagues across the institution to discuss their development priorities.

You were finalists in the Women in Tech awards - can you share a little more about that and who you’re inspiring through your work?

Meg:

I was so honoured to be nominated by my peers in IDG and to be shortlisted for the Role Model of the Year award! To me, a role model empowers, gives agency and autonomy, and encourages people to achieve their best.

Before I joined Warwick Transformation, I was the Head of Business Analysis. My focus was on fostering a culture of trust and empowerment across the team, especially in the early days when we had yet to develop our team’s identity. I strived to instil the values of learning from one another, and sharing best practices and outputs in an open, non-judgemental way. The team also gave me regular feedback on our ways of working and what I could be doing better to support them. Their feedback was an invaluable part in creating the team we have today.

Sarah:

I was nominated in three categories - Woman of the Year, Team Leader of the Year and Digital Leader of the Year - and I was honoured to be named as a finalist in the Woman of the Year category.

A number of colleagues across IDG were also nominated, and I feel they should all be celebrated because by shining a light on the excellent work that all those nominees undertake provides inspiration and shows that it's not just one or two women. I believe in developing talent internally, irrespective of gender - part of my role as a leader is making sure that I’m giving the more junior members of my team the space and opportunity to develop so that when more senior roles become available they are in the best possible position.

The Women in Tech awards are designed to help move the IT industry towards a place of real equality. Do you think things are changing in 2023 – or do we still have a way to go?

Meg:

Things are changing but there’s still so much ground to cover - not just in IT but across STEM in general!

IDG has by far been the most progressive and inclusive workplace in my career. I had the opportunity to particulate in our ‘Women in IDG’ programme last year (shout-out to Clare Swift!). It made me address some of the challenges I faced, specifically those around my own imposter syndrome and what I need to do to identify when my work/life balance is out of whack. Women often feel a lot of pressure to 'do it all', and we often don’t prioritise our own needs when we need to the most!

Sarah:

Across the IT industry I think there's still a way to go. Things are moving in the right direction, if a little slowly.

I think universities are leading the way - the 'Women in IDG' programme Meg mentioned is a great example of how Warwick is trying to make a difference.

 

What’s your favourite thing about your job?

Meg:

I have two things! I’ve always been motivated by roles that give me variety in my day-to-day, and an opportunity to learn (that’s why I work in Higher Education!). With Warwick Transformation, I have the chance to work with a brilliant programme team, learn from people across Professional Services and be part of ensuring we’re future-ready across a wide range of services.

Sarah:

A bit of a cliché but it’s the people that make it (most of the time!). I work with a range of colleagues across IDG but also across the University. It's so easy to stay in your own bubble, but I love the different perspectives that speaking to a range of voices across the University brings.

 

Tell us about some amazing women you work with...

Meg:

I must mention my co-nominee, Sarah Wood, who is nominated for Woman of the Year! I’ve had the opportunity to work with her on a couple of student systems-focused projects, and her institutional knowledge and leadership abilities are truly inspiring!

I also need to shout out the amazing women on our Business Analysis team – Jenny Gledhill, Em Ward, Sam Cruickshank, Tracey Harris, Shazia Ali, Rachel Drinkwater, and Emma Morrison (with Jenny and Sam also being nominees in IDG for Women in Tech!). I’ve learned countless things from each of them around how to be a better business analyst/communicator/line manager/colleague/human.

Sarah:

I’ve worked with a number of inspiring women during my time at Warwick. Some have moved on to pastures new (Faye Murray, Natalie Snodgrass) but some are still here (Roberta Wooldridge Smith). One colleague I'd like to give a shout-out to is Annie Davey, currently Head of Administration in IDG, who does so much to promote people-centred values.