For this article, we interviewed six women in leadership roles at Shetland Islands Council on what inspired them to pursue a career in local government, their advice to other women seeking leadership roles, what they’re most proud of, and how councils can better support female leadership and women in the sector. Read here.

As part of LGIU’s Future Local Lab we asked some local government experts from the UK, Australia and New Zealand for their views on what the future will hold for local government and its relationship with communities and residents. View here.

As part of our new interview series for Future Local Lab, LGIU’s Chief Executive Jonathan Carr-West sat down with Professor Donna Hall to discuss her impressive career, what it takes to transform local government for the future and the courage needed in local leadership right now to get the ball rolling. Read here.

In this interview, Rebecca McKenzie, CEO of Glen Eira City Council, reflects on her experience in local government. She discusses the importance of community engagement, managing relationships with elected councillors, and the essential role of values like respect, trust and public purpose in the local government sector. Read here.

In this interview, Hannah Perkin, named Community Champion in the LGIU & CCLA Cllr Awards for 2023, discusses her route into politics and the impact of her work in the Borough of Swale in Kent. Read here.

In this interview, Heather Woodbridge, the newly-appointed Leader of Orkney Islands Council and 2023 Scotland Cllr Awards Resilience Champion winner, reflects on her career as a councillor, and shares insights on serving her community, the challenges and opportunities of working for a council, and what lies ahead for the islands. Read here.

In this interview, Helen Wright, Dundee City Council representative and the city’s first female Lord Provost, reflects on more than four decades of work in local government and her support for women in politics and the wider community. Read here.

LGIU Associate, Alice Creasy interviewed Eleni Myrivili, Chief Heat Officer for the City of Athens to discuss the work the city is doing to proactively tackle the issues caused by climate change and extreme heat. Read here.

We spoke with four officers from LGIU-member councils to learn about the experience of moving from private sector careers into local government. We discussed personal motivations, differences between sectors, and the benefits for local government. Read here.

The world needs community-based, equitable climate change solutions. Kelly King, Maui County Councilmember and co-founder of Pacific Biodiesel, reflects on her experience at COP26 and explores the role of biofuels in supporting a circular economy. Read here.

The regeneration of towns and cities through investment in culture and heritage is a model whose impacts are well understood, but what goes into the development and delivery of these projects? Perth and Kinross Council and its partner, Culture Perth and Kinross, not only survived the process, but together, they have delivered a successful new museum opening and welcomed over 128,000 visitors in its first four months of operation. Helen Smout, Chief Executive of Culture Perth and Kinross, shares the behind-the-scenes of this investment and how it has energised tourism and local pride in the heart of Scotland. Read here.

This article from the City of Melbourne showcases its Fishermans Bend Digital Innovation Challenge – Australia’s largest urban renewal project. Since 2018, the council has been delivering challenges to help explore the role of emerging technologies in the city, inviting digital solutions that tackle important city challenges. Read here.

In this article, Cllr Emma Matanle provides the granular details surrounding a successful resident-driven initiative to develop a new community centre in Sopwell, St Alban’s greenbelt site. This project not only revitalises a green space but unites a diverse community, offering something for everyone – from sports facilities to cultural spaces. Dive into a story of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity. Read here.

In the wake of COP29, this piece examines how international climate agreements relate to the national and local level. While communicating what happens at the international and how it connects to the local seems irrelevant, it is at the local level where change really happens. Read here.

In this video interview Emily Hobbs, from SGS Economics and Planning, speaks with Clare Richards, Housing Broker at Mount Alexander Shire, to explore their key priorities, challenges, and how they’re driving change in their community. Discover their unique insights and learn more about their role. Watch here.

Despite the challenges of systemic barriers, gender biases and a global pandemic, Ireland’s woman-led entrepreneurship has skyrocketed – but theres a lot left to do. In this article, Donegal County Council, reflects on the success of their AMBITION programme and shares insights on how other councils can take women-led entrepreneurship to the next level. Read here.

In this article, Leitrim County Council reflects on their role in EmpowHer 2025. An event, which took place in Leitrim, where women leaders came together to help female founders scale their businesses and navigate the challenges faced by female entrepreneurs. Read here.

Women in the UK are less likely to ask for a pay-rise and less likely to be successful when they ask. According to a 2022 YouGov survey, 43% of men have asked for a pay-rise, compared to a third of women. Of these men, 31% were successful in receiving a salary increase, compared to just 21% of women. Women are routinely undervalued for the work they do and this pay progression gap contributes to wider income and societal inequality between men and women. Read here.

Hannah Stevens, CEO at Elect Her, discusses the need for greater gender representation in politics, celebrating progress and identifying challenges after the recent UK election. She highlights the benefits of diversity and calls for systemic reforms to achieve 51% female representation in political offices. Read here.

A few years ago, ‘shocking’ statistics came to light, spotlighting an epidemic infecting women’s ability to be safe every day, everywhere. This personal account details incidents of public harassment and assault and illustrates that 97% is more than just a ‘shocking’ number. It’s a harrowing and united experience for nearly all women in society. Read here.

Feeling safe is integral to everyone’s well-being and quality of life. For women, perceptions of safety and negative experiences can inhibit their participation and use of public spaces and places. This briefing provides an overview of two recently introduced projects on creating safer public spaces for diverse women. Read here.

Rapid urbanisation is a global phenomenon, and more women than ever are choosing to take the plunge and move to large towns and cities. These urban spaces have some of the most diverse populations and are supposed to be built for all of us – but they are not built by all of us. Read here.

As part of LGIU’s coverage for International Women’s Day 2024, Dr Michelle Maher, Programme Manager of See Her Elected, discussed how they were working to increase women’s participation in local government ahead of the 2024 local elections. Read here.

For International Women’s Day, SGS Economics and Planning’s Gerard Lind draws on new research which shows that while our inner cities have a much more integrated workforce, workforce gender segregation is greater in the suburbs and regions. Read here.

Patrick Jowett explores how Sweden, Finland and Denmark have successfully worked to take a gender mainstreaming approach to policymaking and the transformative nature of these strategies at a national and local level. Read here.

Low visibility of women’s experiences in the male-dominated field of planning can shape our environments to fit male norms, but it doesn’t have to be this way. LGIU’s Kat McManus writes on the benefits of applying a gender lens to planning and explores how Vienna became a role model for their application of this approach. Read here.

Women’s safety from male violence impacts all women’s lives. In this article, Emma Moseley Policy Officer at Trafford Council explains how GreaterSport’s Right to the Streets is aiming to make streets and public spaces safer for women and girls. Read here.