Exeter Supernumerary Fellow Professor Dame Molly Stevens appointed Academic Champion for Women and Diversity in Entrepreneurship

Professor Dame Molly Stevens, Exeter College Supernumerary Fellow, John Black Professor of Bionanoscience and Deputy Director of the Kavli Institute, has been appointed as the University of Oxford’s new Academic Champion for Women and Diversity in Entrepreneurship. Professor Stevens will work with the IDEA (Increasing Diversity in Enterprising Activities) programme and EnSpire Oxford, the University’s entrepreneurship hub.

Professor Stevens’ focus will be on inspiring and nurturing underrepresented people within the University who have an interest in entrepreneurship, advocating at a senior level, and collaborating with researchers, professional services, divisions, departments, and the Equality and Diversity Unit to support diversity in innovation and entrepreneurship. Additionally, she will provide academic leadership in the development of a Women and Diversity in Entrepreneurship Strategy, aligning with the entrepreneurship objectives outlined in the University’s Strategic Plan and Knowledge Exchange Strategy.

Professor Chas Bountra, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Innovation, said: ‘I am delighted to announce Professor Stevens’ appointment as the new Academic Champion for Women and Diversity in Entrepreneurship. Molly brings a wealth of experience in entrepreneurship, including business governance, research commercialisation and patent application; and as a female founder herself is an active advocate for women and diversity in academia.’

IDEA aims to address challenges and disparities encountered by groups that are significantly underrepresented in enterprise and industry globally. With a specific emphasis on empowering, motivating and upskilling more diverse leaders, founders and innovators, IDEA offers various entrepreneurial initiatives. These include a Peer Mentoring programme and the forthcoming ‘Entrepreneurship for All: Data, Delivery, and Diversity’ conference.