Biosciences receives silver for gender equality
6 October 2016
Cardiff University School of Biosciences is celebrating after receiving the Athena SWAN Silver Award in recognition of its commitment to gender equality.
With a motto of ‘recognising advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success for all, the Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.
It has since been expanded to recognise work undertaken in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students, and now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.
The School’s success builds on its previous achievement of the Athena SWAN Bronze Award.
Dr Matt Smalley, is co-Chair of the Athena SWAN Committee and jointly led on the School’s application. He said
“We were delighted to receive the news that the School of Biosciences has successfully achieved the Athena SWAN Silver Award. Not only is there a moral obligation to achieve equality of opportunity for all individuals, but lack of equality of opportunity within an organisation means that the organisation misses out on the talents and abilities of a significant part of its workforce.
The award recognises our efforts and our successes in striving for equality of opportunity in the School but also in taking a critical look at ourselves and asking where we still have weaknesses and how these can be addressed.
Dr Smalley added
Our goal now is to implement the action plan, maintain what we are doing well and focus on the key areas outlined in our application that still need improvement.”