Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences

Women in Science

The Department of Informatics has been working to assess, address and challenge the inequities women face in their academic careers as part of the Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Science's Women in Science initiative since 2013.

Women in Science at Informatics – WiS@Informatics

The Department of Informatics organises monthly virtual seminars, celebrating the contributions of women to the field of science.

The seminars are open to everyone across the entire college, and showcase examples of cutting-edge research.

Find out more about Women in Science at Informatics – WiS@Informatics

Athena SWAN in the Department of Informatics

Athena SWAN is a UK charter mark that recognises commitment to the advancement of gender equality in higher education and research.

As part of NMES, we previously held a faculty-level Athena SWAN Bronze Award, and in April 2018 we were awarded a department-level Athena SWAN Bronze Award for the Department of Informatics.

Athena SWAN Charter

As part of our application for an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, the Department went through a rigorous self-assessment process. This process was driven by a diverse self-assessment team, whose membership included students and staff across levels, and whose cumulative personal experience included: balancing caring responsibilities and work/studies, including as a single parent; flexible working arrangements; dual-career families; career breaks; transitioning from part-time to full-time after a career break; first in family to go to university; non-standard career paths.

Through our self-assessment we identified six main challenge areas for improvement (see below). Our targets for these areas and the actions we have planned to address them can be seen in the Department of Informatics Athena SWAN Action Plan 2018 – 2022.

You can also read our full Athena SWAN Bronze application, which we submitted in November 2017.

Department of Informatics key Athena SWAN challenge areas:

Student focussed	1. Proportion of students who are women
	2. Attainment of female UG students
Staff focussed	3. Proportion of staff who are women
	4. Promotion and progression of women
Culture and environment focussed	5. Managing career breaks and caring responsibilities
	6. Attitudes, behaviours and inclusivity