Women in science
Athena SWAN
It is my personal mission to ensure NDS is a place where everyone is given the support and opportunity to achieve their full potential and I am grateful that the Athena SWAN Charter spurs us on our journey to ensure we provide an inclusive, diverse and world-class department.
- Professor Freddie Hamdy, Head of Department
The Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences provides an engaging and vibrant environment for staff and students and a haven for academic surgical trainees. We received an Athena SWAN Silver award in October 2016. The award recognises and celebrates good practice on recruiting, retaining and promoting women in science, education and technology in higher education.
What is Athena Swan?
Athena SWAN is a national scheme which recognises a commitment to supporting and advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) in higher education and research.
Athena comes from the Athena Project (a project established in 1999 to reverse the loss of women in science, engineering and technology) and SWAN is the Scientific Women's Academic Network.
Launched in 2005, The Athena SWAN Charter has been developed to support a commitment to addressing the underrepresentation of women in STEMM, and advancing the careers of women in STEMM research and academia. The charter covers academic roles, progression of students into academia and the working environment for all staff.
Why Athena SWAN is important to NDS
Athena SWAN is a positive initiative for the benefit of all staff and the department is committed to making meaningful changes. By 2015, Athena SWAN accreditation at Silver award level will be necessary when making funding applications to the NIHR and BRC, and it is expected other funding bodies will follow suit.
Find out more
Learn about the Charter on the Athena Swan website
Visit the University’s Athena SWAN web pages
Visit the University's Women in Science website
SUPPORTING OUR STAFF
NDS actively promotes the provision of a family friendly working environment, equal opportunities and career development. For information of the support available for NDS staff, please visit our Supporting our staff webpage.
Diversity and Equality Working Group
The Diversity and Equality Working Group meets regularly and develops mechanisms for the promotion of diversity and equality in surgical sciences, education, research and a clinical setting.