VIDA was established as a result of discussions at the CMS conference at the University of Warwick in July 2009. In reflecting on our careers in academia so far, a small group of us agreed that most of the mentoring and support we have enjoyed has come from male academics. Through VIDA, we want to establish a formal network which is consciously aimed at offering encouragement, advice and above all friendship to women academics at a whole variety of career stages, but whose work connects to Critical Management Studies, wherever they are located geographically and intellectually. We also want to create a series of spaces, both virtual and actual, where we can share information with each other more easily and build new collaborations across universities, disciplines, countries and continents.

VIDA, then, stands for equity, democracy, support, friendship, collectivism, challenge and intervention, amongst women, by women and for women. We would love to have you join us so please come along to the VIDA workshop to find out more.

The session will:

·        introduce VIDA and update on progress to date
·        demonstrate the new VIDA website (http://www.vidascholars.org/)
·        introduce the VIDA ‘critical friend’ initiative
·        invite feedback, comments and ideas
·        share support and practical help
·        discuss coming events and plan and discuss next steps

Facilitators: Alessia Contu, Carole Elliott, Sarah Robinson, Martyna Sliwa, Kiran Trehan

Looking forward to meeting together soon!