Athena SWAN at the University of Oxford
The Athena SWAN Charter supports good employment practices for women in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET). For Athena, SET includes the medical sciences.
Going through the Athena SWAN application process gives universities and departments the space to reflect on, and celebrate, current organisational and cultural practices that promote gender equality in SET. Athena SWAN also offers a valuable framework for introducing cultural changes that create a better working environment for both men and women.
Athena SWAN and Gender Advisory Group
The Advisory Group on Athena SWAN and Gender, which met for the first time in November 2012, brings together the work of three former advisory bodies: the Athena SWAN University Committee; the Gender Equality Scheme Steering Group; and the Gender Panel of the Education Committee. The merged group brings together expertise from across the collegiate University on all aspects of gender equality work at Oxford in relation to both students and staff, in order to give this work greater focus and consistency. It is Chaired by the Pro-Vice Chancellor for Personnel and Equality and reports to the Equality and Diversity (E&D) Panel.
Read papers and minutes from past Advisory Group meetings here.
Departmental activity at the University of Oxford
There is a significant amount of activity on Athena SWAN amongst departments at Oxford: all MPLS and MSD departments support the initiative and intend to submit an application for an award. To date, four departments have achieved a Silver award, and three have been awarded Bronze. A further five departments submitted applications in November 2012 and are awaiting the outcome, while others have established their self-assessment panels and are progressing with applications to be submitted during the course of 2013.
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