Equality and Diversity
"To promote equality and diversity in the workplace, continually assess and improve working practices and provide a culture of participation and inclusivity"
Message from the Head of Department
The Department of Physics and Astronomy strives to provide a working environment in which all members of staff and students can develop, flourish, and advance. Such an environment benefits our students and staff at all levels and grades as well as the Department and University. The Equality and Diversity Committee enables the Department to achieve this goal. As Head of Department I fully support the role of the E&D Committee in achieving the goals we have set.
Background
Further information about the University's equalities policies can be found here.
In 2009 the Department formed the Equality and Diversity Working Group, consisting of individuals representing all types of staff (administrative, technical, research and academic) and research students in the Department and reporting to the Academic Staff Meeting. In 2016 the group transitioned to a departmental committee and the research group and staff and student representatives took on new roles with leadership in particular areas of the committee's remit.
Current membership of the Equality and Diversity Committee can be found here.
The function of the group is to identify areas where improvements in working practices could be made and then make recommendations on how these improvements can be made through the usual Departmental procedures. The group may also be required by the Head of Department to help implement any changes.
The group is supporting women in physics, through IoP Project Juno and the Athena SWAN schemes.
The group promotes Equality and Diversity in the working environment by:
- increasing staff awareness of related issues
- making Departmental and University policy more transparent
- increasing communication within the Department
- encouraging the continuous professional development of its staff and students
- acting in confidence on information received from staff
- providing a culture of participation and inclusiveness
In February 2013 and April 2016 the Department achieved and renewed Juno Practitioner status and it gained an Athena SWAN Bronze Award in April 2013, re-awarded in 2018.
Meetings
Meetings are held a few times a year. To join the discussion, or raise an issue, please contact Rhaana Starling and/or come along to a meeting.
For previous meetings' minutes, event reports and award applications please contact Data Patel.
