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Astrea

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About Astrea

Astrea is UCL’s network for women in professional services.

We meet regularly to learn new skills, hear inspiring career stories and build connections with women at all levels across UCL. It is open to all women, so whether you are at the early stages of your career, or are already well established, you will get something out of being part of the network.

In addition to our events, we publish a newsletter and run social media channels. Our wider remit is to support professional development and ensure our members are aware of the relevant resources and policies that could support them.


Who we are

Astrea is UCL’s network for women in professional services. Our aims are to:

  • Improve policy and practice to achieve greater gender equality at UCL with an intersectional lens.
  • Connect women across UCL to share their experiences and support each other.
  • Enable our members to realise their potential within UCL by providing professional development opportunities and ensuring they are aware of the relevant resources and policies that could support them.

We do this by:

  • Advocating for changes in UCL policy and practice around gender equality through working with other staff networks and engaging with UCL leadership.
  • Hosting a range of events to help our members learn new skills, hear inspiring career stories and build connections with women at all levels across UCL.
  • Communicating policy updates, skills tips and stories from our network through our newsletter and social media channels.

Where did our name come from?

We took inspiration from Aphra Behn (1640–89) who was the first woman in England to make money from her writing. 'Astrea' was the code name used by Aphra while working as a spy for the King. A definite trailblazer.  


The Astrea Committee 

We meet every 6-weeks to plan events, newsletters, initiatives and discuss relevant policy issues. Please do get in touch with us at any time via email: astrea@ucl.ac.uk 

Meet the committee:

Co-Chair Aparna Murthy a.murthy@ucl.ac.uk  
Co-Chair Ferdouse Akhter f.akhter@ucl.ac.uk  
Deputy Co-Chair Kristina Narvet k.narvet@ucl.ac.uk 
Deputy Co-Chair Vacant 
Comms Manager Rosie Nivenr.niven@ucl.ac.uk
Comms Manager Isha Deguni.degun@ucl.ac.uk
Events Manager Sharon Betts  sharon.betts@ucl.ac.uk
Events Manager Seema Walkerseema.walker@ucl.ac.uk 
Events Manager Arianna Franculacci a.franculacci@ucl.ac.uk 
Events Manager Vacant 
Events Manager Vacant 
Inclusion Manager Lauren Gillett lauren.j.gillett@ucl.ac.uk 
Inclusion Manager Charlotte Sinclair charlotte.sinclair@ucl.ac.uk 
Inclusion Manager Lucy Dang l.dang@ucl.ac.uk 
Inclusion Manager Vacant 
Inclusion Manager Vacant 
Inclusion Manager Vacant 
Policy Manager Linda Lam linda.lam@ucl.ac.uk 
Policy Manager Lisa Andrews lisa.andrews@ucl.ac.uk  
Policy Manager Victoria Abbott v.abbott@ucl.ac.uk  
Policy Manager Kimberley Baylisk.baylis@ucl.ac.uk
Policy ManagerHannah Kahn h.kahn@ucl.ac.uk 
Budget Co-leadAlisia Carnemollaa.carnemolla@ucl.ac.uk
Budget Co-leadMagda Knitterm.knitter@ucl.ac.uk