Athena SWAN Silver for Medicine

The University’s School of Medicine has achieved Silver level in the latest round of the Athena SWAN Charter awards announced by the Equality Challenge Unit.

Professor Paul Stewart, Executive Dean, School of Medicine, said: “This is an excellent achievement that has only been made possible through the hard work of staff across the School to ensure that we promote gender equality across all disciplines.

“We have realised a number of pioneering initiatives including an Academic Development Fund to support staff on their academic trajectory; implemented facilities to support mothers on their return from maternity leave so they can continue to breast feed their babies; and a guarantee to staff who reduce their hours that they can return to their original hours on request.

“These and many other initiatives have made a real impact and mean that not only have we been able to make great steps toward addressing gender inequity, but have also opened up opportunities for key National Institute for Health Research funding streams which would otherwise not be open to us without this award.”

The University was also awarded an Institutional Level Bronze award, and the same level was achieved by the Faculty of Mathematics and Physical Sciences (MAPS). 

“We were disappointed not to achieve Silver level awards institutionally and for MAPS as we have made clear progress over recent years in this area,” says Professor Steve Scott, Executive Dean of MAPS and Institutional Lead on gender initiatives. “However, we will soon receive feedback on our submissions, and this will help inform our future activities. Key activities include addressing the gender pay gap via enhanced progression of women through our promotions systems and appointing more women into leadership and other decision-making roles.

“Our Faculty and University action plans have been determined against the progress we wish to make rather than simply to gain a particular external award. We remain confident that these are ambitious and appropriate and will continue to provide a strong focus for our efforts on delivering gender equality here at the University.”

The Athena SWAN Charter awards have been running since 2005, recognising the commitment of the higher education sector to address gender inequalities, tackle the unequal representation of women in science and to improve career progression for female academics.

Visit the Athena SWAN website for more information.

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