Usher Institute

Athena SWAN Silver Award

Molecular, Genetic and Population Health Sciences, together with Clinical Sciences, have received the prestigious Athena SWAN Silver Award.

Silver for Edinburgh Clinical Medical School

We are delighted to announce that the latest joint application between the two Deaneries of Molecular, Genetic & Population Health Sciences and Clinical Sciences, which was led by Professors Karen Chapman and Cathy Abbott, was successful in gaining an Athena SWAN Silver Award.

Find out more details of the bid on our Athena SWAN website.

Athena Swan Silver Award

Athena SWAN Charter – what is it and what does it do?

The Athena SWAN charter recognises a commitment to the advancement of gender equality in academia, addressing unequal gender representation across academic disciplines, professional and support functions and removing the obstacles faced by women. It recognises excellence in employment practices that advance and promote the careers of women in STEMM subjects (science, technology, engineering, maths, medicine) in higher education and research through an award scheme. The Athena SWAN Charter for women in science is now administered from the Equality Change Unit.

Athena SWAN – charter for women in science

Equality Challenge Unit (ECU)

There are 3 levels of award:

  • BRONZE: assessment of data (quantitative – e.g. gender distribution across staff grades; qualitative – e.g. policies, working arrangements), identification of where the problems are and a plan of action to address these problems
  • SILVER: similar to bronze, but data showing the impact of policies already in place has to be included
  • GOLD: sustained excellence

Results

Full details of the latest round of awards for Institutions across the UK can be found on the Equality Challenge Unit's website.

April 2016 Athena SWAN results