Somerville College was delighted to unveil the newly opened Laura Liswood Archive of Women World Leaders at a special celebration on Friday 17th October 2025.
The Laura Liswood Archive of Women World Leaders is an important resource documenting the evolution of the world’s only organisation dedicated to elevating the experiences and insights of women heads of state and government. Established in 1996, the Council of Women World Leaders’ mission is to promote good governance, enhance the experience of democracy and increase the visibility of women who lead at the highest levels.
The Laura Liswood Archive of Women World Leaders was first donated to Somerville College in 2017 by Laura Liswood, the trailblazing lawyer and author who curated the conversations that form the basis of the archives, in recognition of Somerville’s seminal role in championing women leaders. As of this year, the Archive is now accessible for teaching and research via the Somerville College Archives.
Consult the Laura Liswood Archive of Women World Leaders
In Pictures
MTST Director Jessica Mannix welcomes guests
Literature of the Margaret Thatcher Scholarship Trust
Viewing archival materials relating to Margaret Thatcher
Rt Hon Kim Campbell, Laura Liswood and Catherine Royle before the event
Somervillian Lucinda Coxon with Kim Campbell and Laura Liswood
Guests at the reception
Viewing archival materials relating to Margaret Thatcher
Guests at the Reception
Guests at the Reception
Viewing archival materials relating to Margaret Thatcher
Guests at the reception, including Professor Iyiola Solanke, Somerville's Professorial Fellow in Law
Reviewing the archives
Guests at the reception, including Somerville's Librarian and ArchivistSarah Butler
Guests at the Reception
Guests at the Reception
Guests at the Reception
Literature of the Margaret Thatcher Scholarship Trust
Guests at the Reception
Guests at the Reception
Guests at the Reception
The panellists take to the stage
The Rt Hon Kim Campbell
Guests during the event
Guests during the event
Guests during the Q&A
The fireside chat continues
Principal Catherine Royle
Principal Catherine Royle
Taking questions from the audience
Oxford Thatcher Scholar and DPhil Law student Zoya Yasmine offers thanks at the end of the evening
The evening's speakers: Laura Liswood, Rt Hon Kim Campbell and Principal Catherine Royle
The Future of Women’s Leadership
Somerville convened a special fireside discussion on 17th October in association with the Margaret Thatcher Scholarship Trust to celebrate the opening of the archives. Joining our newly appointed Principal Catherine Royle on the panel were Laura Liswood and the first woman prime minister of Canada, the Rt Hon Kim Campell, for a conversation reflecting upon the history and the future of women’s leadership.
The occasion also provided an opportunity to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of Margaret Thatcher, on 13th October 2025. Baroness Thatcher was the UK’s first woman prime minister and a global leader of lasting renown whose legacy and enduring connections to Somerville were also considered during this fascinating conversation and lively Q&A session.
Read Reflections on the Centenary of Margaret Thatcher’s Birth