Women in Publishing

The Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies is holding a one-day conference on the theme of 'Women in Publishing' at Oxford Brookes University.

Taking place:

The Buckley Building

Thursday 10 May 2007

The Glass Ceiling - is it still in evidence to women in the publishing industry? 

This conference focuses on the role and position of women within the contemporary publishing industry.  The UK publishing industry is populated by a predominantly female workforce.  But, several decades after the foundation of feminist publishers such as Virago, have women achieved equality both as employees and as writers?  Is there still a glass-ceiling effect operating at board-room level, or has the appointment in the 1990s and 2000s of women to managerial positions changed publishing culture for good?  How do women construct their publishing career paths, and what are the opportunities and strengths of women in publishing?

Speakers addressing these questions include:

  • Helen Fraser, Managing Director, Penguin Books
  • Poppy Hampson, Editor, Chatto & Windus
  • Kate Hyde, Senior Editor, Press Books, HarperCollins
  • Helen Moreno, Sales and Marketing Assistant, Publishing Department, Oxfam
  • Ursula Owen, Founder-Director of Virago Press and Project Director for Centre for Literature and Free Expression
  • Jenny Uglow, Editorial Director, Chatto & Windus
  • Carole Welch, Publishing Director, Sceptre

The full programme is available here (pdf).

The conference is being hosted by the Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies, in association with the Kim Scott Walwyn Prize, which is awarded annually for an outstanding contribution made by a woman in publishing.  The Prize will be awarded in Oxford on the same day as the conference.

Conference Organisers

  • Dr Claire Squires, Oxford International Centre for Publishing Studies
  • Professor Hermione Lee, New College, Oxford

For further information and registration details please contact Caroline Hamilton, Centre Manager, Creative Industries, 01865 484476 or .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).