"I will never forget the amazing energy we had at the first WiP event! It was an unforgettable experience."

Ewa Klorek founded the group in 2017. She had this to say about her experience: “I got very inspired by my T&F colleagues, their stories, experiences, and ideas, which I thought could be shared in a wide forum. A forum to exchange these ideas, mentor & support each other as well as an opportunity to network and celebrate successes. I benefited from getting to know colleagues across T&F, learning different points of view, and expanding my network.”

“I will never forget the amazing energy we had at the first WiP event! It was an unforgettable experience. The opportunity to network with colleagues in the leadership position inspired me to enter the journey myself, challenge myself to think outside of the box, and embrace my vulnerabilities. There is no better place to meet passionate and inspirational individuals than at WiP events! The current committee has taken the group to a new, global level! Watch the space for some amazing events in 2022.”

"As an attendee... learning more about the group, what it stood for, and its objectives inspired me"

Renata Schiavinato: "When I first got involved with Women in Publishing, it was as an attendee in one of the events hosted by the Milton Park committee (Schiavinato is now a Boca Committee member). Learning more about the group, what it stood for, and its objectives inspired me. I thought it was an interesting and fun way of how, by sharing ideas, experiences, and concerns, we could support and encourage each other."

"I personally think there are many benefits for being part of this group. I really enjoy being able to ‘network’ with colleagues that I would normally not engage with either because of their physical location or simply because our work is not at all related. These are colleagues I wouldn’t know anything about but being in a group together gave me the opportunity to hear stories and learn about career paths that are fascinating and have inspired me. I have had the chance to participate in discussions on issues that affect us, and it made me feel good to know that I am not alone out there with the same insecurities, fears, or questions."

"Although the name of the group is Women in Publishing, this is not just for women. All colleagues are encouraged to join. For me, it is very gratifying to be able to collaborate and support others. It’s a fabulous opportunity to meet new colleagues, share passions, discuss common concerns, inspire, and be inspired. It is, in my opinion, a means to establish shared identity with colleagues, thus being able to recognize, respect, and value different views."

"Each generation owes it to the next to keep moving important issues forward"

Gillian Howcroft, Regional Sales Manager (US Western Region), Taylor & Francis, explains that she got involved with Women in Publishing for multiple reasons. Howcroft says: "As an early entrant into remote working on the West Coast when I moved to California in 2014, I felt the need to stay connected to colleagues; and getting involved in any community helps foster that feeling of belonging. I like to be part of a community and WiP was an ideal match with my interests."

"Secondly," Howcroft continues, "I feel each generation owes it to the next to keep moving important issues forward. Equality for women has rounded out into a wider question of equality for all, along with diversity and inclusivity. Those issues are all important to me. Years ago, I was leading the Borders Women’s Book Group in Oxford, UK and one of the older ladies in a conversation suggested that my generation was not doing much to further equality and build on the work they had done. I was slightly shocked at the time, and then when reflecting, realized that perhaps she had a point. We had a much easier time of going to university, college, and into the workplace, in part because of some of the work they had done. As a mother to a daughter, I’m trying to ensure she has an even easier time and pays it forward when it is her turn."

"Being part of the WiP committee has given me the opportunity to work with similar groups at Wiley and Elsevier."

Vikki Davies, Production Team Leader, and Learning And Development Specialist at Taylor & Francis Group, is one of five members of the Milton Park committee (UK). Being a committee member has given her both some new leadership skills, and a unique opportunity to work with similar groups at other publishers. Davies explains: "Women in Publishing offered a fantastic opportunity to get involved in a group aimed at addressing issues very close to my heart. I joined the Milton Park committee in 2017, having recently returned from maternity leave. I was looking for an opportunity to expand my network within the company and the wider industry, whilst also contributing to diversity and inclusion efforts. I was keen to get involved in new projects, and planning events was not something which I had previously been involved in."

She continues: "Being part of the Women in Publishing committee has greatly broadened my network within the company and has also given me the opportunity to work with similar groups at Wiley and Elsevier. (You can read The Scholarly Kitchen article that Davies co-authored with ERG members from Wiley and Elsevier here.) It has helped my career development, as well as my personal development, as my understanding of diversity and inclusion issues has been greatly enhanced. Through organising events, my confidence to present in front of an audience and to take the lead in projects has grown enormously."

"Women in Publishing aim to offer a wide range of events to colleagues throughout the business. Our events are open to all colleagues in the hope that they will aid personal development, discovery, and networking opportunities, and broaden the scope of diversity and inclusion within our community. We always welcome feedback from our attendees, and are always asking, if they feel there is something that Women in Publishing could offer, to please let us know."

 "I've had the opportunity to create connections with colleagues across the world"

Emily Newsome is also a committee member for Milton Park (UK). She had this to say about her experiences as a committee member: “I first got involved with WiP because I am passionate about what WiP represents and wanted to be an active part of it in any way I could. I really enjoyed attending their first ever event in the Milton Park office and wanted to join the committee to help make those sorts of events happen. Plus, I was interested in meeting more people across the business, making friends, and talking about things that we all had a shared passion for.“

Newsome continues: “I have experienced so many personal and professional benefits as being part of the WiP committee. From representing the committee at the Informa awards in London in 2019 to hosting an in-person/virtual event, which helped me build my public speaking skills, I have met some wonderful people and had the opportunity to create connections with colleagues across the world. I would encourage people to join WiP (via the Yammer group) to meet others across the business, to hear about events that they may be interested in, to celebrate the success of women in and outside the company, and promote the professional development of women at Taylor & Francis." 

"The ‘Breaking the Taboo’ series of talks where difficult topics like menopause and miscarriage have been discussed have been an eye-opener. I would highly recommend these, especially for managers to support staff through these life events."

Siobhán Greaney was invited to join the Milton Park (UK) committee after coming up with some innovative ideas around using existing online resources in the group. Greaney explains: “I was interested in hearing from the speakers for the first WiP event back in 2017 so I went along. They were really great talks, so I attended the next couple of events, and when Informa were trying to promote an online resource to help with gender balance in the workplace I approached the WiP team about ways I thought this resource could be used in T&F and found myself (after a couple of catch ups over a cup of tea about the ideas) invited to join the local committee.” 

Greaney continues: “I’ve learned a lot from the events hosted, there have been great sessions about Imposter Syndrome and Communicating Effectively that I’ve taken tips away from that help me in my day to day work. The chance to meet people from other areas of the business and learn what they do has been great. The Yammer community is welcoming for all sorts of discussions and people sharing interesting research or news or just chatting. And the ‘Breaking the Taboo’ series of talks where difficult topics like menopause and miscarriage have been discussed have been an eye-opener, would highly recommend these, especially for managers to support staff through these life events.” 

“Anyone in the company is welcome to attend a WiP session or join the internal Yammer group so it’s not so much encouraging people to join as it is encouraging people to participate. I tell people to come along to a future event or look up the previously recorded ones online because you’ll learn something new. And if you do join the Yammer group, there’s a community of people there to share with. Being a part of WiP has helped me network, build connections, and expand my skills.” 

Cynthia Klivecka, Production Editorial Manager, Taylor & Francis, is a member of the US Boca Chapter Committee. She explains how the US group was inspired by the UK group's momentum: "I have long been interested in contributing to women’s issues of all kinds, especially when it comes to being supportive of other women. When the UK WiP main chapter posted an article about starting US chapters, I responded fast, as did Renata Schiavinato, at the same time! We were excited to be starting the group at the Boca Raton office. We sent out a 'Would you be interested' questionnaire to women and men in the office and the responses were overwhelming; we knew then that the Boca chapter was ready, willing, and able to begin sharing and supporting Women in Publishing."

"Compassion and caring is absolutely fulfilling"

"Our first meeting was opened by Annie Callanan (Taylor & Francis CEO) and Emmett Dages (Taylor & Francis COO), and getting their support was crucial. Annie spoke and inspired us, I believe, to be strong for one another, and that feeling continues. Hearing of other women’s struggles inspired me to be more than a listener, but to be available no matter what the struggle may be. I am much more in tune to all people now, not gender-related or orientation or skin color. Once your mind is open, it is wide open! Compassion and caring is absolutely fulfilling. Indeed, one good turn becomes 100 if you are willing. Women in Publishing is a stepping stone to helping more and more women attain their objectives in life, to understanding struggle of any kind, and to be able to contribute to even one woman accomplishing her goals is good for all humanity!"