We are delighted to announce that the university has selected Prof. Lesley McMillan as our institutional candidate for the Advance HE National Teaching Fellowship Award.
Lesley, whose research inspired the nationally acclaimed ‘Erase the Grey’ campaign at GCU, was chosen through a rigorous internal selection process, and was selected with the endorsement of the Principal.
Over 10 years of Lesley’s career have been spent leading institutional responses to sexual violence. Her research into gender-based violence underpins her advocacy for a safe and equitable learning and working environment for all students and staff.
One in three (35%) women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual violence and gender-based violence can take many forms. These experiences impact on students’ ability to be able to fully take part in university life, and to feel part of the university community, which of course carries implications for their learning experience.
Lesley, with a team of dedicated people from across the university, and across the City Region has led a strategic programme of work to combat gender-based violence in higher education. The campaign arm of this work, which aims to raise awareness of Gender Based Violence, is Erase the Grey (#erasethegrey) which was co-produced with GCU students to create a set of striking and highly impactful visual graphics.
#erasethegrey instantly gained instant attention on the GCU campus and on social media and, based on its success in raising awareness, has now enjoyed success in 11 further universities and colleges reaching in excess of 200,000 staff and students. The campaigns impact on the student learning experience, has been recognised with multiple national awards and nominations.
To support students and staff, Lesley went on to establish a team of ‘First Responders’ at GCU trained to receive disclosures of gender based violence. She worked with colleagues through Fearless Glasgow a cross-sector collaboration of all universities and colleges in Glasgow and the West of Scotland and developed partnerships withPolice Scotland, Glasgow and Clyde Rape Crisis, Glasgow Violence against Women Partnership, The Emily Test, Archway, and Equally Safe, who run a coordinated #erasethegrey campaign reaching an astounding 150,500+ students and thousands more staff.
“The Erase the Grey campaign has had huge impact on the whole GCU community, students, staff and visitors to our campus and website. With our huge banners and social media campaign, the message was hard to miss. You could see students physically stop to read the banners as this awareness campaign hit a chord with all of us that could relate and others who could empathise. This strong message was impactful and student feedback was all very positive. This campaign raised awareness and acted as a call to action, and the impact has had a ripple effect that will continue for many years to come.” Susan Docherty, Student President, GCU Students’ Association
Please join us in wishing Lesley good luck in the National Teaching Fellow competition, winners announced in August 2021!
GCU Academic Development & Student Learning 