University of York glitters for women scientists

The University of Yorkís Chemistry Department has become the first institution to win the prestigious gold SWAN award for excellence in recruiting and progressing women in science, engineering and technology (SET). Their employment policies have enabled talented women to rise to senior levels in the department and for the university to make the most of their talents.

The latest round of awards will be announced on 11 September 2007. Yorkís Psychology Department has earned a silver award, as have the Department of Biochemistry at Bristol University and the School of Physical and Geographical Sciences at Keele University. Queen Mary, University of London, and Heriot-Watt University have both won bronze SWAN awards.

Universities subscribing to the Athena Swan Charter - funded jointly by the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (UKRC) and Equality Challenge Unit - are eligible for the SWAN awards, which assess UK universities in their role as science employers and mark their progress. The areas assessed include the number and position of women academics, positive support for women at key career transition points, culture and gender balance in decision making and work-life balance practices.

Yorkís Chemistry and Psychology Departments organise and participate in ëWomen in Scienceí days to raise the profile of women working in the organisation and beyond. The School of Physical and Geographical Sciences at Keele runs courses to encourage women into science and helps train new and existing science teachers. Queen Mary, University of London offers Summer Schools for sixth form girls to learn more about engineering. Positive action by the Bristolís Biochemistry Department has resulted in a significant increase in the number of women both applying for, and securing, promotion. Heriot-Watt are carrying out research with female academic and research staff to identify the key issues for them.

Annette Williams, Director of UKRC, said: ìSeeing successful women in university science and engineering departments has an enormous influence on attracting girls to study and work in SET. The SWAN awards highlight the ways in which universities and research institutions can recruit, retain and promote women to all levels of their SET departments. They show that there is a place for women in science and they can succeed.î

Nicola Dandridge, Chief Executive Officer at Equality Challenge Unit, said: ìScience cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of the whole population; until women and men benefit equally from the opportunities that it affords. Promoting gender equality is central to our work and we are, therefore, fully committed to supporting the Athena SWAN Charter.î

Professor Paul Walton, Head of Chemistry at York, said: ìWe are reaping the rewards of several yearsí commitment to the Athena SWAN principles, including a greater proportion of women academic staff at the higher grades and no significant drop off in the proportion of women scientists as they progress from undergraduates to postdoctoral researchers and eventually academics.î