Athena SWAN
Introduction by Professor Mark Overton
I am pleased to support and champion the work being carried out at the University in relation to the Athena SWAN Charter.
The Charter’s aim is to support and encourage Universities to work towards gender equality within STEM/M disciplines. At Exeter, STEM/M includes all subject disciplines within the Colleges of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences, Life and Environmental Sciences and the University of Exeter Medical School. The beliefs underpinning the Charter are:
- The advancement of science, engineering and technology is fundamental to quality of life across the globe.
- It is vitally important that women are adequately represented in what has traditionally been, and is still, a male-dominated area.
- Science cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of the whole population, and until women and men can benefit equally from the opportunities it affords.
- The University joined the Charter in June 2011 and received University Bronze Status in March 2012.
The University is committed to the Charter’s six principles:
- To address gender inequalities requires commitment and action from everyone, at all levels of the organisation
- To tackle the unequal representation of women in science requires changing cultures and attitudes across the organisation
- The absence of diversity at management and policy-making levels has broad implications which the organisation will examine
- The high loss rate of women in science is an urgent concern which the organisation will address
- The system of short-term contracts has particularly negative consequences for the retention and progression of women in science, which the organisation recognises
- There are both personal and structural obstacles to women making the transition from PhD into a sustainable academic career in science, which require the active consideration of the organisation.
Work continues on Athena SWAN and details of activities, events and associated information are displayed here.
I am keen to emphasise the work of Athena SWAN to support women's science careers benefits everyone. Insufficient organisational policies, structures and working culture negatively affect women. However, supportive and inclusive working practices and culture benefit all staff. The University is working to attract more women into science, in all types of academic capacities and retain and encourage those already here. We are seeking to retain those women who might otherwise drift away ensuring the UK remains a world leader in science and research by continuing support for the highest level of scientific research.
Professor Mark Overton
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (External Affairs) and Dual Assurance Chair for Equality and Diversity
