Institute of Cancer Sciences Athena SWAN News

Christina Halsey

Dr Chris Halsey

New ICS initiatives for early to mid-career researchers.


We have many new schemes designed to support early and mid-career researchers to maximise their potential and enhance career progression. These include:


1. The Network for Early Career Researchers Development (NERD) previously established by 3Is and ICAMs. This network organises a range of relevant and engaging events to support career development and to act as an advocate for ECRs. It has proven really popular and feedback has been excellent. Here is the URL to the site where you can get a flavour of past and future events and what it is all about:
UoG NERD


If you want to join or want any more information please contact Chantevy Pou (Chantevy.Pou@glasgow.ac.uk), Alice Newman  (alice.newman@glasgow.ac.uk)or Grace McGregor (g.mcgregor.2@research.gla.ac.uk). A launch event officially welcoming ICS into the NERD family is planned for Friday 26th October at the tennis court social room on the Garscube Estate (3pm -5pm). There will be short welcoming talks and activities to involve the guests, pizzas and drinks for the occasion. Senior staffs are particularly welcomed to attend to show their support, to reinforce the Institute commitment to the NERD initiative and convey this opportunity to their teams.


2. !!NEW!! Launch of ICS Mentoring Programme

As part of the ICS Athena SWAN programme we are pleased to announce that a new ICS Mentoring Scheme will be launched on 23rd October. Please join the scheme organisers in the WWCRC Cafe from 10am-11am to learn more about the goals of the scheme, how it will work and ask questions. More information can be found at: ICS Mentoring Proggramme


3. Grant application support - we are in the latter stages of finalising a range of measures to support researchers in writing successful grant applications. These include grant application workshops, a database of senior academics willing to review grants and a database of those who sit on funding panels who can offer advice on suitability and remit of different funders. We hope to launch this scheme before Christmas so please look out for details.


Athena SWAN Women in Science Seminar series

On 14th September, as part of the ICS  Women In Science lecture series, we were treated to a presentation from Prof. Meike Bartels (University Research Chair Professor in Genetics and Well-being at the Department of Biological Psychology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam). Meike is a stellar and inspirational individual, regarded as one of the most influential scientists and women in the Netherlands, with over 200 peer reviewed papers, many in high impact journals. While the topic of her research was not cancer sciences, it is Well-being, it was of direct relevance to ECRs and on any staff member interested in work life balance. Unsurprisingly, her audience was drawn from across MVLS.  Meike described how she conducts and supervises several research projects to gain sight into the underlying sources of variation on Well-being. As a mother of four children (aged between 6 and 12), she wanted to inspire female scientists here to pursue an academic career and build a family at the same time. Refreshingly, Meike described her funding history and the success and many failures she has had to endure to reach her current position.

‌Women in Research Network

Toni Roseweir and Karin Oien are the ICS representatives for this MVLS network – all welcome to attend: the next session is on the 7th November when Prof Carron Shankland, Prof of Computer Science, University of Stirling will be talking. This is a recommendation from those who saw her talk at an Aurora event - Prof Shankland speaks very openly about her own career and the struggles she has had with work-life balance affecting her health, and how she overcame them.  Professor Carron Shankland

This will be followed on the 20th November by a Workshop with Dr Tracey Stead on Resilience. After last years’ successful workshop with Sara Shinton, it was decided to repeat this concept, with a workshop linked to Prof Shankland's talk covering resilience.

There is another event planned for 31st January hosted by the School of Psychology focusing on mental health and wellbeing.

Family and carers news

ENHANCEMENT TO POLICIES FOR NEW PARENTS

Changes to the University’s Maternity, Adoption and Paternity leave policies include (1) extending paternity leave from one to two weeks (on full pay) whilst (2) abolishing the minimum service requirement currently needed in order to access the University’s maternity/adoption leave packages.  These changes took effect as of 1st September 2018.  Please visit the University website to find out more: Enhancement to policies for new parents

The Athena SWAN committee is eager to get more participation from early career researchers.  If you would like to get involved and join the committee, please contact Chris Halsey for more details: chris.halsey@glasgow.ac.uk

 

 

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First published: 31 October 2017

<< October 2018