ECU’s Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research. In May 2015 the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

The Medical School in Queen Mary University successfully submitted for Silver in the November 2014 submission round, joined only by the School of Biological Sciences within Queen Mary University to hold the award at this level.

Although part of the same faculty, Medicine and Dentistry have separate Athena Swan submissions. Further information is available via the QM Athena SWAN Charter page.

Download previous submissions here:  

School of Medicine 2014 submission [PDF].
Institute of Dentistry's submission [PDF].

Relevant Resources

• Childcare policy
• Leave and Worklife balance
• Breastfeeding/ Expressing milk Statement
• Maternity leave and pay calculator
  
  

Our initiatives

The School of Medicine is currently developing a programme of actions to advance women's careers within the School. A full list of initiatives is present in our action plan but highlights include:

• A mentoring scheme originating in the Medical School which is now been used across QMUL. 
• Working meetings in working hours: all management meetings now held in core hours 9.30am-4.30pm. 
• Embedding Athena Swan as a standing item on the SMD's key decision making bodies – School Executive Group, Research Education Strategy Board and the School Management Committee as well as the School's bi-annual Open Meetings. 
• Appointment of the Athena Swan Working Group chair onto the School Executive Group (SEG). 
• A policy to promote gender balancing of Seminar and Conference speakers. 
• Workshops for women in leadership roles or wishing to apply for them. 
• Creating an environment where women are visible and presented as role models for students and staff members. 
• Women of Distinction in Science and Medicine lectures
• Senior Academic Women's Network. 
• Clinical Academics' Network. 
• Professional/Technical/Operational Staff Working Group.
• Post-Doctoral Researchers Focus Group. 

The Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team 

The Self-Assessment Team (SAT) is made up of a group of individuals working in various roles across the School of Medicine. Our current mission is to finalise and submit the School of Medicine's application for Silver status to the ECU’s Athena SWAN Charter for November 2017. Whilst meeting regularly as a team, we all have allocated roles and meet regularly in smaller sub-groups in order to carry forward certain aspects of the November application. These groups are working on the following areas: data, writing, communications, interventions and impact. 

The School of Medicine Athena Swan Working Group members are:

• Steve Thornton – Vice-Principal (Health)
• Maralyn Druce – Co-chair
• Sandra Evans – Co-chair
• Amrita Ahluwalia – William Harvey Rep
• Rachel Ashworth – Institute of Health Science representative
• Matthew Caley – Postdoctoral Representative
• Angus Cameron – Early Career Researcher
• Danë Goodsman – Senior Lecturer in Medical Education
• Sophie Hoque - Student Representative
• Enid Hennessy – Expert with responsibility for data
• Aine McKnight – Blizard Institute representative
• Mangala Patel – Institute of Dentistry
• Jane Sosabowski – Established parents returners lunch
• Laura Simpson - Athena Swan Co-ordinator

Gallery of SMD Women

Visit our gallery of profiles to meet women in the SMD, find out what brought them to science and who inspires them.