Bronze for three schools as Athena Swan push accelerates
Bronze for three schools as Athena Swan push accelerates
Congratulations to the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, the Liverpool Business School and the Astrophysics Research Institute on achieving the Athena SWAN Charter Mark.
Dedicated teams in the schools were celebrating the successful outcomes of their bids, which take many months to prepare and evidence.
The successes are the first since Sport and Exercise Science attained Athena SWAN in 2019, but many more are to come with 12 other departments working towards Bronze.
Director of PBS Professor Satya Sarker said: “We are delighted with this after a great deal of hard work from our team which builds on the progress that we have already made. The process itself has stimulated a healthy debate and discussion on our working practices and culture and also helped to provide a framework for future action as we strive to achieve greater equality, diversity and inclusivity within the School.”
PVC for the Faculty of Business and Law Tim Nichol said: “Our commitment to the Athena SWAN process demonstrates the School’s commitment to embedding a culture of equality, diversity and inclusivity in which both staff and students have the opportunity to realise their full potential and pursue purposeful and rewarding lives.”
Professor Shiho Kobayashi, Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Astrophysics Research Institute, said: “We are delighted about this wonderful recognition. The Institute is fully committed to promoting equality, diversity and inclusion for our staff and students, ensuring the departmental organisation and culture are open, transparent and encourage the participation of all staff and students.”
Workload, promotions ...
Achieving Athena SWAN entails a root-and-branch evaluation of each school’s activity including roles, workload, promotions, job adverts, maternity and paternity, external engagements, committee work, work-life balance, student support and more.
In PBS, the team behind the bid was orchestrated by Dr Garry McDowell and Dr Komang Ralebitso Senior; at LBS Dr Deborah Humphreys led as Athena SWAN Champion with Amanda Stewart-Reilly as Co-Chair of the working group, while at ARI the 'Champion' was Dr Matt Darnley supported by director Professor Phil James. Credit should also go to all members of the Self-Assessment Teams, and the University’s Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and Team.
Phil Vickerman, PVC Strategic Initiatives, said: "Athena SWAN not only underlines our commitment to advance equality in careers and opportunity but also guarantees our teaching and curriculum is inclusive and our working environment is flexible and inclusive for everybody.
“Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity is everybody's responsibility,” he added.
Moni Akinsanya, the University Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Manager said: "This is brilliant news indeed. These Bronze awards show that LJMU has a solid foundation for eliminating gender bias and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff and students. The work has only just begun; we have to build on this with more significant record of activities and achievements so our departments can progress to attainment of the Silver and Gold awards!"
