A Spotlight on Dr. Gurpreet Kaur: A Champion for Women's Rights and Intersectional Gender Equality

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Building on the impactful groundwork laid by our first Increase Diversity™ Summit, which explored "Who is Qualified?" and tackled bias in recruitment and retention, we at Team JTC now shift our focus to the equally vital question: "How Do I Say It?". The 2024 Increase Diversity™ Virtual Summit Experience will guide participants through the complexities of effective language for inclusive recruitment and retention strategies.

Today, we are thrilled to introduce Gurpreet Kaur, PhD, LLM (she/her), a global women’s rights expert and intersectional gender specialist. She will be speaking at the upcoming Increase Diversity Summit on the topic of, “How Do I Say It? Gender (Binary).” Dr. Kaur’s journey and work are truly inspiring, and I’m excited to share her story with you.

1. Tell us a little bit about who you are. What would you like our community to know about you?

I am a global women’s rights expert with a B.A. (Hons) and M.A. from the National University of Singapore and a Ph.D. in Gender and Postcolonial Ecofeminism in Literature from the University of Warwick. I am also an endometriosis survivor, having spent five years in a wheelchair, which deepened my commitment to justice and international law. 

My studies in international human rights law at SOAS, University of London, focused on female violence and terrorism. Combining my expertise, I now work in policy, emphasizing gender and human rights. In my free time, I enjoy watching Netflix, writing, and traveling.

2. Tell us about your journey into the work that you now do (either directly or indirectly) within the field of diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging.

My journey into the work of DEIB started long before I even knew it was called DEIB. As a gender specialist working on women's rights, gender inequality is not new to me. I have researched and analyzed it from different perspectives and disciplines. However, I truly lived it during my darkest days battling endometriosis. 

I faced medical misogyny, gender bias in hiring due to gaps in my CV, sexism, and racism in the NGO sector, and deeply ingrained gender stereotypes from family and friends. These experiences, coupled with my academic background in the humanities and human rights law, consolidated my understanding of feminist and anti-racist ways of being, working, and leading, all through a decolonial lens.

3. Who is most impacted by the work you do, and how are they impacted?

My work straddles policy, advocacy, and research, and women and girls are the most impacted by what I do. Intersectionality is key here, and I ensure that a decolonial lens is applied to policy research and outcomes. 

This approach ensures that the vulnerable and marginalized are not further exploited, whether in research processes or policy implementation.

4. What products/services do you offer to your community to help them make an impact? How can people get in contact with you?

I offer consulting services, speaking engagements, and workshops on DEIB, gender equality, and social inclusion. You can get in touch with me at [email protected] and through LinkedIn at Dr. Gurpreet Kaur.

5. As you know, the theme of the Increase Diversity Summit is "How Do I Say It?: Effective Language to Use For Inclusive Recruitment and Retention Strategies." Why is this topic important to you?

How we frame an issue impacts how it lands, how convincing it is, and why it should matter. Language is key in showing efficacy—both in effect and affect. Effective language is crucial for DEIB and for demonstrating compassionate leadership.

More About The Increase Diversity Summit 2024: How Do I Say It?

October 16-17, 2024 | 11:00 AM ET - 2:15 PM ET

Join us for the 2024 Increase Diversity™ Virtual Summit Experience starting on Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024, and concluding on Thursday, Oct. 17, 2024. This immersive event will guide participants through the complexities of effective language for inclusive recruitment and retention strategies. 

Through engaging talks, interactive breakout sessions, and thought-provoking panel discussions, you'll gain practical tools and techniques to revolutionize your approach to increasing diversity and retention without harm. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to deepen your understanding and enhance your recruitment strategies. View the full agenda and register today for the 2024 Increase Diversity™ Virtual Summit Experience.