Celebrating International Women’s Day – Rebecca Courtaux

Rebecca Courtaux is Head of Student Support & Advice, and Deputy Director of Student Services.

As part of this role Rebecca oversees the Student Success And Engagement Team, Student Support, the Advice Team which includes Funding Advice and International Advice, and the Multi-Faith Chaplaincy, as well as being a Principal Safeguarding Lead for the University.

To celebrate International Women’s Day, we spoke to Rebecca about her achievements this year, and what this celebration means to her.

Rebecca said: “My focus for this academic year has been to develop ways we can identify students who may benefit from a more proactive, early intervention approach.  This involves collaborating with colleagues across the institution to develop processes that use data analysis to identify students at key points throughout the academic year who may be at risk of not completing their course, ensuring robust support is in place to foster their success.

“My team’s role is to support students which they can’t do effectively unless they support each other. I have four strong women managers, each of whom embrace the opportunity to lead the team to success. They encourage personal development, foster autonomy and have developed a great way of working together, based on kindness and mutual respect.

“Like many departments across the institution, we are working at or above capacity, which can be stressful at times, however, the team’s tenacity and fortitude keep them going, along with copious amounts of tea, cake, and, of course, laughs!

What does International Women’s Day mean to Rebecca?

“International Women’s Day is a reminder of the progress made in women’s rights and gender equality during my lifetime, particularly the advancements made in workplace equality and societal attitudes.

“It provides me with the opportunity to reflect on the way I feel connected with other women of all ages and backgrounds, celebrating our collective strength and resilience.

“It is also a time to reflect upon my own privileges and acts as a reminder to support other women to continue to challenge the international issues that still need to be addressed, such as the economic equality, gender-based violence, educational barriers and political representation.”

What one piece of advice would Rebecca give to a woman making the first steps in their career?

“I would advise any young woman to ignore the voices, both internal and external, that say you are not good enough!  Imposter syndrome is a very real psychological phenomenon that can make you doubt your accomplishments and believe you are not deserving of your success.

“Replace negative thoughts with positive affirmations and clearly define your success by gathering evidence you can reflect on during moments of doubt. Above all, be honest with the women you work with—I can guarantee they all feel the same. By sharing and supporting one another, you will overcome these negative thoughts. 

“I participate in the University mentoring scheme and have worked with new women managers and leaders across the institution for several years, supporting with their growth and development, providing advice and sharing knowledge. Having the opportunity to engage in open and honest discussions with these strong, resolute women has been a great privilege and is an experience I hope to continue for many more years.”

International Women’s Day is all about creating a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge gender equality.

Find out more here International Women’s Day 2025