Equality, diversity and inclusion in the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics
Only 23% of all Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) jobs in the UK are held by women (WISE 2017).
In the Department of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics we encourage all our students to pursue careers in STEMM professions and support both the Athena Swan Charter and the Physics Inclusion Award.
How we create a supportive environment for people in science
We are a welcoming department and are active in promoting a safe, diverse and inclusive environment for everyone.
PAM’s Equality Committee works to remove barriers for LGBT+, Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic people and people of all genders and intersections to create an equal workspace beneficial to all.
PAM has a zero-tolerance non-discrimination policy informed by the UH Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Office and underpinned by University-wide Bullying and Harassment policy.
Athena Swan and IOP Physics Inclusion Award
Science cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of the whole population, and until people of all genders can benefit equally from the opportunities it affords. The Physics Inclusion Award and Athena Swan act as catalysts to achieve this cultural shift.
Our engagement with equality and diversity to date has been recognised by the following awards:
- Athena Swan Silver departmental award (renewed April 2024)
- Institute of Physics Pilot Scheme participant (Sept 2023 – January 2024)
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More about the Physics Inclusion Award and the Athena Swan Charter
The Institute of Physics Awards
Project Juno was established by the Institute of Physics (IOP) in 2007 in order to recognise and reward departments that can demonstrate they are actively encouraging good practice and addressing the underrepresentation of women in university physics.The Department of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics was first awarded Juno Practitioner status by the Institute of Physics in January 2015, and was successful in its application to Champion status in July 2019.
Since 2023 the IOP have renewed their Juno award into the Physics Inclusion Award (PIA) to broaden its remit beyond a better gender balance in Physics. It now looks at a range of themes across all areas of EDI to support departments in being welcoming and inclusive to all.
PAM took part in the Pilot Scheme for the PIA and are committed to the themes of the Physics Inclusion Award.
Athena SWAN
The Athena Swan Charter is an initiative run by the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) recognising commitment and excellence to addressing the underrepresentation of women and in advancing gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) in Higher Education.
The Charter covers women in academic roles, the progression of students into academia, and the working environment for all staff.
PAM was successful in renewing the Athena Swan Silver award in April 2024, having previously achieved the Athena Swan Bronze departmental Award in 2015 and upgrading to the Silver award in 2018.
Support from the Senior Management
I fully support the efforts of our Equality Committee to create an inclusive community in the Department where all can flourish, regardless of their gender, ethnicity or background, and where nobody is held back from career or personal development. The Equality Committee's work, recognised by an Athena SWAN Silver award and Juno Champion status from the Institute of Physics, has helped us to build a culture that promotes equality and diversity amongst the staff and student body in PAM.
Martin Hardcastle, Head of Department
As a husband endeavouring to support my wife in achieving her career aspirations alongside my own, and as a father and primary carer of two young children, I recognise some of the personal and cultural pressures which affect women in pursuing their career choices. When these pressures operate in an environment in which women are already underrepresented, as in physics and mathematics, both conscious and unconscious biases can act against their progression. The Juno and Athena Swan programmes allow us to focus our efforts to address these biases in a more concerted and effective way.
Sean Ryan, Professor of Astrophysics