Athena SWAN is an initiative launched in 2005 dedicated to challenging the inequities faced by women in academia. Via a bronze, silver and gold system they recognise institutions that promote female careers in science and related fields (so-called STEMM subjects). The IoP has taken the charter and the principles upholding it seriously, for example by setting up their own Women in Science Initiative in 2012. By first recognising and subsequently formulating methods to address any gender inequities found here at the IoP, the hope is that the institute will be in a position to retain it’s bronze award, gained back in 2008 and following this to go for silver. With the announcement that BRC funding will be awarded based on the Athena SWAN awards, the pressure is on for institutions nationwide to step up to the plate. The Self-Assessment Team (pictured below), made up of male and female members of various departments at the IoP, is responsible for guiding this process and applying for the Athena SWAN Awards. They are conducting research to identify inequities and meet regularly to propose action plans to address the inequities where they find them. They drew up a prioritised 11-point action plan for the Women in Science Initiative this July 2013 on the basis of what they deem to be problematical and in need of redress here at the IoP. As part of our Focus on Women, The Looking Glass decided to find out more about Athena SWAN and the people involved. We sent out representatives of the magazine to interview various members of the SAT, to find out what motivates them, what obstacles they feel exist at the IoP and get their take on gender inequity more broadly.
Want more information? The KCL webpages dedicated to Athena SWAN have been given a recent overhaul. Visit them to find out more about the initiative and to find out more about training and development opportunities, the Self Assessment Team and relevant KCL policies. Visit: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/iop/about/Women-inScience/index.aspx The Looking Glass
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