Sophie Mason, an undergraduate studying History and Politics at Trinity Hall, originally from Chester, has taken on the role of Women’s and Non-Binary Officer in the Junior Combination Room (JCR).
Sophie’s decision to run for the position stemmed from personal experiences revealing gaps in gender representation.
She said: “I noticed almost all of my academic interactions were with men.” She emphasized the need for representation in academia, adding that the majority of Cambridge colleges have only, within the last 50 years, allowed women into their academic space.
“It is important to recognize that women have only existed within a small period of the history of Trinity Hall, and ultimately, we all have the same goal: to learn and work towards our degrees.
“It is essential that we continue to combat the barriers women face in academia, both from a personal and institutional perspective.”
Regarding her studies, Sophie highlighted the relevance of history and politics, emphasizing their synergy. She envisions influencing policy through NGOs in the future but currently focuses on representing everyone at Trinity Hall.
Sophie encourages open dialogue: “I want people to come and speak to me. Speaking to more senior people might be daunting but I hope it is less so speaking to me.” She urges support for women during Women’s History Month (which runs all March), advising to “talk to the women in your life.”
Within Trinity Hall, Sophie promotes a welfare-driven approach, providing free period products and running safety initiatives. She aims to foster an inclusive community: “Continuing to promote and expand inclusivity and equality within Trinity Hall is something I am strongly pushing for,” Sophie said.
To mark the month Trinity Hall ran a series of events: see our news story for more details.
