King's College London

Professor Heejung Chung has been appointed Director of the King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership, as the institute embarks on a new phase of its development.

She will take over in January from Professor Rosie Campbell, who has led GIWL for the last six years and will move to a new role in the Department of Political Economy.

As part of the change, GIWL will move from the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy (SSPP) to the King’s Business School, where Chung is also a Professor of Work and Employment.

GIWL has been supported since its establishment by SSPP, while based in the Policy Institute, and both will continue to work with GIWL on key long-term research projects, particularly those focused on women’s leadership in politics and policy.

Professor Rosie Campbell said:

“I’m hugely proud of the work that the team have done in my time at GIWL – from developing our Changemakers programme and influencing government gender pay gap reporting around the world, to exploring changing attitudes to gender equality and researching what workplaces can do to better support women. None of this would have been possible without the institute’s supporters, as well as the support of SSPP, which was vital in establishing the institute in 2018 and helping it to grow since.

“And I’m delighted that Professor Heejung Chung will be taking over from me at this critical time. Heejung is a renowned expert on the world of work and employment, and how it intersects with gender and other social inequalities. With this change in leadership, and a new home in the King’s Business School, GIWL will be ideally placed to engage directly with those who have the power to create change within organisations. I'm looking forward to seeing the institute continue to flourish under her leadership and that of GIWL chair Julia Gillard, and to taking up my new post as Professor of Politics in the Department of Political Economy – one of the leading departments in the UK.”

Professor Heejung Chung said:

“In light of the changes we have seen around the world in terms of threats to women's rights and the rise of misogynistic views, even among younger generations, there is an increased urgency for us to address the issue of gender equality and women’s leadership. That is why I am delighted to take on the role of the Director of the King’s Global Institute for Women’s Leadership.

“We hope to be the leading voice in research and practice on topics around on how to improve women's position in the workforce and society. For us, leadership isn’t about getting the few to reach top positions. Rather, it is about how we can change some of the most problematic structures in our labour market and society to create an environment where women and other intersectional marginalised communities can thrive.

“Having more women in leadership positions isn’t just good for women, it’s good for society as a whole. That is why we at GIWL will continue to strive to improve the position of women in society across the world.”

Professor Linda McKie, Executive Dean of SSPP, said:

“I’d like to thank GIWL for raising the profile of women’s leadership, develop research and education in the area. Social Science and Public Policy wishes GIWL well in its new home and looks forward to cross-faculty engagement.”