The James Hutton Institute is one of the first organisations of its kind to have been awarded Athena SWAN Charter status. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in academia.
It is the first time research institutes that are not part of a higher education institution (HEI) have been eligible to apply for Athena SWAN status and the James Hutton Institute has been awarded Bronze. The award was made following the Institute’s participation in a pilot programme.
Following the announcement, Professor Iain Gordon, Chief Executive of the James Hutton Institute said: “We are delighted to have gained Bronze status following the successful pilot of the Athena SWAN Charter.
“The James Hutton Institute is committed to developing the potential of all our science staff and achievement of Athena SWAN status will help ensure successful career development for our excellent women scientists.”
The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has awarded a £32,000 grant to support Equality Challenge Unit’s development of the Athena SWAN charter mark to meet the specific needs of research institutes.
David Willetts, Universities and Science Minister said: “Research institutes play a substantial role in producing world class research and helping the UK deliver global excellence. We support this expansion of the Athena SWAN Charter to research institutes as an opportunity to ensure that the potential of women throughout the workforce is retained and encouraged. Such a visible commitment to developing excellence in employment practices can only assist in keeping the UK performing on a global stage.”
The expansion of the Athena SWAN Charter was developed following a pilot during which six research institutes were successful in achieving an Athena SWAN award. It means around 65 additional research institutes can now become members of the Athena SWAN Charter.
The Athena SWAN Charter is owned and managed by the Equality Challenge Unit whose Chief Executive David Ruebain said: “Research institutes are part of the academic community and share many of the structures and barriers to career progression experienced by women in universities. We know that the strong methodology and robust process of the Charter can create cultural and systemic change that has a real impact. We are delighted to be able to expand the Athena SWAN Charter and affect wider change for women in the academy.
“I would like to congratulate the six successful pilot institutes on achieving their awards – their experiences during the pilot have allowed us to develop the Charter to reflect the unique challenges that research institutes face. We look forward to welcoming further research institutes as members in the future.”
[1]The successful research institute winners will receive their awards at a ceremony in London on 1 May 2014. The event will also include a workshop for new research institute members as they embark on applying for their bronze Athena SWAN awards.
The full news release can be read on the Athena SWAN website [2].
Bernardo Rodriguez-Salcedo [3], Media Manager, Tel: +44 (0)1224 395089 [4] (direct line), +44 (0)344 928 5428 [5] (switchboard) or +44 (0)7791 193918 [6] (mobile).
Links:
[1] http://www.athenaswan.org.uk/
[2] https://www.athenaswan.org.uk/content/research-institutes-join-athena-swan-charter
[3] mailto:bernardo.rodriguez-salcedo@hutton.ac.uk?subject=Query%20from%20Hutton%20website
[4] tel:+441224395089
[5] tel:+44344928 5428
[6] tel:+447791193918