Hatfield MCR recognises the importance of supporting and celebrating womxn within our postgraduate community. This page highlights issues affecting womxn in postgraduate study, as well as some of the resources and initiatives available within the MCR.

Womxn in Postgraduate Study

Postgraduate study can present unique opportunities and challenges. Womxn in academia may encounter issues such as a lack of representation in certain academic fields, balancing academic work with caring responsibilities, and gender-related barriers in research environments. At Hatfield MCR, we aim to foster an inclusive and supportive environment where womxn can connect, share experiences, and thrive in their academic journeys.

International Women’s Day

Each year on 8th March, the global community celebrates International Women’s Day, recognising the achievements of women and highlighting ongoing efforts toward gender equality. The MCR may mark this occasion through discussions, social events, or awareness initiatives that celebrate womxn in our community and across academia.

Hatfield College and Women

Hatfield College has a long history within Durham University. Like many historic colleges, it was originally a single-gender institution and later became mixed. Today, Hatfield welcomes students of all genders and continues to evolve into a more inclusive academic community.

Welfare and Practical Support

The Hatfield MCR Welfare team aims to ensure that practical resources are available to support students’ wellbeing. The MCR currently provides free sanitary products (including tampons and pads) available in the Cottage Common Room and the bathrooms at James Barber House. You do not have to live in James Barber House to access these - you can just pop in! Students can also pick up pregnancy tests during Welfare Drop-in sessions, which are available discreetly and free of charge. If there are additional resources or support that would be helpful to members of our community, please let the Welfare Team know.

Community and Discussion

The MCR is committed to creating spaces where womxn can discuss issues that matter to them, build supportive networks, and celebrate achievements within the postgraduate community. Suggestions for events, discussions, or initiatives related to womxn’s issues are always welcome.

You may notice that this page uses the word “womxn.”

The spelling is sometimes used in university and community settings as a way to recognise that discussions about women’s experiences can also include people who face similar gender-based barriers or discrimination. This can include trans women, non-binary people, and others whose experiences intersect with issues traditionally discussed under women’s equality.

Different people prefer different terminology, and language around gender continues to evolve. Our use of “womxn” is intended simply as a signal of inclusion, recognising that our postgraduate community includes people with diverse gender identities and experiences.

Hatfield MCR aims to be a welcoming space for women, trans women, non-binary people, and anyone affected by gender-related issues within postgraduate study.