XClose

Eastman Dental Institute

Home
Menu

Athena SWAN

We are delighted to have been awarded a Silver Athena SWAN Award in recognition of our commitment and success in addressing gender equality.

What is Athena SWAN

Launched in July 2005, Athena SWAN is a quality charter mark framework and accrediation scheme established and managed by the UK Equality Challenge Unit (now part of Advance HE).  It recognises and celebrates good practices in higher education and research institutions towards the advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success.

UCL is firmly committed to the aims and principles of Athena SWAN and was one of the first Universities to sign up to the scheme.

UCL currently hold a Silver Institutional Athena SWAN award.

The Athena SWAN Charter

  • helps institutions achieve their gender equality objectives
  • assists institutions to meet equality legislation requirements, as well as the requirements and expectations of some funders and research councils
  • uses a targeted self-assessment framework to support applicants identify areas for positive action as well as recognise and share good practice
  • supports the promotion of inclusive working practices that can increase your the retention of valued academics and professional and support staff, demonstrating your an institution’s commitment to an equitable working environment

2016 Application and Award

Researcher Anne Young, Professor of Biomaterials and former Chair of our Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Committee, said:  “This award represents a tremendous amount of work on the part of the Institute to remove any impediment to women working or studying with us.

“In the first instance we have improved flexibility in our postgraduate courses to enable students to balance study, work and home commitments. As a result, our percentage of women on these courses exceeds that of postgraduate dental courses elsewhere.

“We have additionally supported staff undertaking PhD studies whilst working as clinical academics. This and other measures has increased the numbers of female clinicians with training suitable for academic and teaching posts.

“We now also have the first female professors of Biomaterials and Orthodontics at UCL.  

“I’m so pleased to be a part of an organisation which wants to actively identify and remove any inequality in our workforce and maximise their ability to excel.”

UCL Eastman Director, Stephen Porter, said: “The success of any academic institute rests upon a workforce that works well together and acknowledges that each staff member has both strengths and needs that reflect their gender, experience, expertise and caring responsibilities. 

“Over half of our taught and research postgraduates are women and the creation this year of a Centre for Postgraduate Research is designed to ensure that we gain similar improvements in PhD female percentages. 

“We are committed to achieving an environment that maximises the opportunities for all staff.”