Diversity and Inclusion

The latest ISSF award from Wellcome includes funds to support and improve gender equality throughout the College.

As such, MVLS has been able to support four new funding schemes:

  • Network and Event Fund
  • Academic Returners Support Fund
  • Carers' Conference Fund
  • Equalities Fund

For more information on Gender Equality and Diversity within the College of MVLS, please visit our Athena Swan webpage.

Network and Event Fund

This fund is supported by the Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund, and is to support networks or events that will support MVLS and Wellcome’s diversity and inclusion policies. Please note, all networks/events should be as inclusive as possible. For more information please see University of Glasgow Equality and Diversity and Wellcome Diversity and Inclusion.

Please be aware the application period has now passed.

The purpose of these networks should be, in line with University policy, to:

  • provide a forum for discussing appropriate issues of mutual interest
  • provide a networking opportunity
  • raise issues in a safe environment
  • contribute to policy thinking
  • organise social events (must be clearly work/professional related)
  • contribute to staff development activities
  • arrange an annual event to raise awareness and celebrate diversity
  • determine membership and operation of the group (e.g. staff only or staff and students/external groups)

However this is not an exhaustive list as we are keen to see networks develop in their own way, as staff wish.

Academic Returners Support Fund

Recognising the University’s commitment to the Athena SWAN Charter and the Awards held by the University, and College Institutes and Schools, the University has introduced financial support for staff returning from Maternity/Paternity/Adoption/Shared Parental leave.  The College scheme, with contribution from the Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund (ISSF), is an extended version with scope for staff from any of our academic career tracks (Research and Teaching, Learning Teaching and Scholarship, Research-only, Research Scientist and Academic Clinicians) in resuming their research or scholarship activity to support career momentum following a period of parental or carers’ leave.

Please be aware the application period has now passed.

 

Eligibility

Staff eligible to apply for the Academic Returners Scheme are:

  • Research & Teaching track: all staff at Grade 7 and above
  • Learning, Teaching & Scholarship track: all staff at Grades 7 and above
  • Research-only: all staff including postdoctoral researchers
  • Academic Clinicians: Grade 7/Clinical Lecturers and above who are granted 4 months or more leave from work within a 12-month period for family/caring reasons (regardless of whether this leave is paid/unpaid or continuous/discontinuous).

 

Such leave would include:

  • Maternity Leave
  • Adoption Leave
  • Shared Parental Leave
  • Any other agreed extended leave period/s that may be granted to allow a member of staff time to attend to family/caring responsibilities

Carers' Conference Fund

Scope

Attending conferences and other training events plays a significant role in the formation of collaboration, ongoing professional development and funding opportunities. The University recognises the additional challenges that those with caring responsibilities (for child or adult dependents) face when trying to attend such events. MVLS has extended the University’s pilot conference carers’ fund to make a direct contribution to the additional caring costs incurred by staff when attending these events. This fund is supported by the Wellcome Institutional Strategic Support Fund.

 

Please be aware the application period has now passed.

Equalities Fund

This funding supports local initiatives and is aimed at driving equality of opportunity for (academic) staff and students.  The ongoing pandemic has caused delays to a range of projects funded by this scheme.

 

Please be aware the application period has now passed.

 

Assessment Criteria

  1. Identifying a specific equalities concern and relating directly to an Institute / School Athena SWAN action plan (minimum silver level – either current award or application);
  2. Focus on primarily supporting academic staff and PGR students, including initiatives aimed at tackling equality of access to research degrees;
  3. Developing initiatives that are self-sustaining and not limited in duration to the funding period or clearly identify plans for supporting the activity longer term
  4. Having the potential to be relevant in multiple areas of the College or University, especially if the initiative could be considered as a ‘Beacon’ activity.

Criteria 1 and 2 are essential, 3 and 4 are highly recommended.