Gender equality

The Athena SWAN scheme recognises commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, and the School holds an Athena SWAN Silver award (May 2018). The School's action plan details how it is embedding gender equality into its policies, practices and culture, including encouraging more male students to take the School's undergraduate degrees.

Psychology and Neuroscience 2017 Athena Swan application (PDF)

The University has signed up to the key principles of the Athena SWAN Charter and holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award at an institutional level (May 2018).

The University provides opportunities for female academic staff to gain mentoring and leadership training through the Elizabeth Garrett Mentoring Programme and Aurora programme, and has a number of relevant staff networks.

On International Women’s Day 2017, the University produced a summary of some key female figures in the history of the University.

To report any incidents of bullying, harassment or abuse (either anonymously or using your contact details), please use the University’s Report and Support tool.

Student

Students that become pregnant during their studies are advised to contact their local GP or the University’s Student Health Helpline.

The University’s Parental Leave for Postgraduate Research Students policy outlines the procedures and support mechanisms available for postgraduate research students.

Further resources
- Carers
- Childcare
- Financial support
- Childcare fund (undergraduate)
- Childcare fund (postgraduate)

Staff

The School Planning for Leave (Word) document provides details on the procedures to be followed when applying for a period of family-related leave and outlines what support can be expected from the School before, during and after the leave.

The University’s core family-related leave policies can be found at the following links:
The University's parental leave policy offers an additional opportunity to take periods of unpaid leave, and the special leave policy covers unexpected circumstances. Additional support is available via keeping in touch days.

The University also has a carer's fund, which provides funding (up to £1k per year) to help staff members with caring responsibilities attend events (e.g., covering childminding or respite care costs, or travel costs of dependents when attending a conference). The application form can be found on the University's human resources page.

The University’s website contains further carer's information, including information about tax-free childcare options, and the Working Families website has a range of advice and information, including a maternity calendar.
The School operates a ‘Core Meeting Hours’ policy to maximise opportunities for all staff and postgraduate students to participate in School meetings and other activities (e.g., seminars, training events). All meetings or events that staff members and postgraduate students are required to attend, or might wish to attend, are normally held between 10am to 4pm from Monday to Friday.

Individual meetings between staff members, or between staff and postgraduates students, can be scheduled outside of these core meeting hours, provided that the time suits everyone involved. Core meeting hours do not include scheduled teaching, due to timetable limitations.

For one-off events outwith core meeting hours, organisers should provide advanced notice (e.g., at least four weeks) and consider how those with family/caring responsibilities or other commitments might be supported to attend (e.g., children invited to attend, mobile crèche).

The University also has an Event and Meeting Inclusion Guide.

Gender equality

Student

Student family-related policies

Staff

Staff family-related policies

Core meeting hours policy

Further resources