Michele Paule is Reader in Gender, Audiences, and Culture at Oxford Brookes University. She researches girlhood in relation to culture and institutions. She recently led the national 'Girls, Leadership and Women in the Public Eye' research project, which explores girls' activism and leadership in relation to hostile public contexts. She is currently working with CI Hannah Yelin and Laura Coryton MBE on 'Tools for Change', a free course and resources for state schools which supports girls' activism in their local areas - more than 50 schools have currently signed up. She is also working with the 'ElectHer' organisation to extend women's advocacy work to younger age groups. Michele has served as both an Oxford City and Oxfordshire County Councillor