Not the Token: Navigating the Boys’ Club Without Losing Yourself

Talk (60mins) with practical tips and Q&A

What does it really take to succeed in industries still dominated by old boys’ networks? Too often, women and underrepresented creatives are made to feel like the “token hire” — forced to adapt, overperform, and compromise just to stay in the room.

In this unflinching session, Kim MacAskill — award-winning screenwriter, TV writer, and AAA game writer — pulls back the curtain on her own experiences of navigating male-dominated spaces. With wit, honesty, and sharp industry insight, Kim will explore how to:

• Recognise the unspoken rules of the “boys’ club.”

• Protect your creativity and confidence in hostile or dismissive environments.

• Push back against tokenism while still building authentic relationships.

• Thrive on your own terms, without losing yourself in the process.

This session is part rallying cry, part survival guide — a reminder that being “in the room” is not enough. It’s about reshaping the room itself.