Only 13% of all Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) jobs in the UK are held by women (
How we support women in science
Project Juno and Athena SWAN
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. Project Juno and Athena SWAN act as catalysts to achieve this cultural shift.
In the School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics, the commitment to progressing women's careers in science and mathematics spans all levels, from undergraduate students to the Dean who was one of the founding members of the School's Juno programme and the University's Athena SWAN programme. We have therefore applied for the following awards:
- More about Project Juno and the Athena SWAN Charter
The Juno project
Project Juno was established by the Institute of Physics (IoP) in 2007 in order to recognize and reward departments that can demonstrate they are actively encouraging good practice and addressing the underrepresentation of women in university physics.
The School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics was awarded Juno Practitioner status by the Institute of Physics in January 2015. The panel judging the application stated that it was "very impressed with what was an incredibly well-structured submission" and that "The obvious commitment of senior management to the JUNO process is to be commended". The panel also invited staff and students within PAM to "celebrate your successes so far, and promote your achievements".
Commenting on this achievement, the Dean of School Professor Sean Ryan said: "This is wonderful news. It's a tremendous boost in the School to know that our efforts so far have been recognised, and will strengthen our resolve to push ahead with promoting women in physics".
As part of the application for Juno Practitioner status, the School-based Equality Committee reviewed a range of data (including staff surveys, interviews and HR data) and created an action plan.
The Practitioner status is in place for three years and the school will be working towards Champion status in the near future.
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.
In 2015, the school also achieved the Athena SWAN Bronze departmental Award and is now looking ahead to progressing to the next level.
Read more about the Athena SWAN programme at the University of Hertfordshire.
Support from the Dean
"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 and Dean of School of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics
Becoming a Juno Champion
News
See a list of Athena SWAN news from the University of Hertfordshire.