Silver lining for School of Dentistry

The School of Dentistry has successfully renewed its Athena SWAN Silver award – recognising its ongoing efforts to promote equality and inclusivity for all staff and students.

The School of Dentistry’s commitment to equality and inclusivity has been officially recognised

The Athena Swan silver award logo, featuring three quarters of a circle and a triangle.

The Athena Swan Charter supports and transforms gender equality and inclusive working practices, which the school has fully embraced through its culture. 

The submission was led by the school’s Self-Assessment Team (SAT) – a group of staff and students who designed and implemented a range of initiatives to support and improve gender equality and inclusion. This includes various consultations throughout the decision-making process and effectively measuring the impact of the initiatives.

Chair of the Athena SWAN SAT, Professor Maisoon Al-Jawad, said: “I’m truly delighted that we’ve achieved and maintained our Athena Swan Silver Award in the School of Dentistry. 

“Our success in advancing gender equality for staff and students during the past five years has been rightly acknowledged, and our commitment to continuing our ambitions in gender equality have been well recognised. 

“I thank everyone who has worked together to achieve this award.” 

The work of the Athena SWAN SAT aligns with the work of the school’s Equality and Inclusion Committee, to ensure equality and inclusion are embedded across all areas, and that best practice is shared throughout the university and beyond. 

Dean of the School of Dentistry, Dr Alan Mighell, said: “The Silver Award renewal reflects external recognition of the importance and commitment that our school community places on delivering gender equality. 

“Thank you to all who have taken us to this point. Together, we now have further work to do to ensure we continue to build on this fantastic achievement and achieve our collective ambition for a fairer place to work and study.” 

The award has been presented by Advance HE, the national body that promotes equality, diversity and inclusivity in the higher education sector.

The school will officially receive the accolade during an awards ceremony later in the year.

See a full list of all the current Athena SWAN awards at Leeds

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