Two new Athena Swan bronze awards

Published: 30 April 2014

Two further schools have achieved Bronze Athena Swan awards.

The School of Geographical and Earth Sciences and the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine have both received Bronze Athena Swan Awards.

The Athena SWAN Charter is a scheme which recognises excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education.

It evolved from work between the Athena Project and the Scientific Women’s Academic Network (SWAN), to advance the representation of women in science, technology, engineering, medicine and mathematics (STEMM).

Bronze Award holders:

  • Demonstrate particular challenges and plan activities for the future
  • Use quantitative and qualitative assessment to identify challenges and opportunities
  • Have a plan that builds on this assessment and lessons from any activities already in place.

Professor Maggie Cusack, Head of Geographical and Earth Sciences said "I am delighted that the School of Geographical & Earth Sciences has been awarded Athena SWAN Bronze. Athena SWAN provides an opportunity to explore the reasons why so few women climb the career ladder in science. Our self assessment team have worked hard to gather data on the gender ratio across our School and to reflect on our practices and culture. We hope that the implementation of the action plan outlined in our award will further support women in STEMM academic subjects and improve the working environment for everyone."

Prof Dan Haydon, Director of the Institute of Biodiversity Animal Health said "I want to build an Institute in which different ways of doing science can be appreciated, valued, and complemented. Recognizing and supporting the diversity of ways different people do their science is fundamental to the interdisciplinarity so critical to our long-term goals.  By doing so not only will we ensure equality for all, but we’ll have a truly outstanding, secure, and inspiring research environment in which everyone’s career ambitions can be realized.  The Athena Swan award is significant recognition that we are succeeding in this ambition.  I’m delighted with the outcome, and deeply appreciative to all the staff who worked so hard to achieve it."

The Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine and The School of Geographical and Earth Sciences join the School of Physics which has a silver award and the University's overall bronze award.

 

 

 

 

 

First published: 30 April 2014

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