International Women's Day

International Women's Day is tomorrow, 8th March.  

So it is a good time to mention Athena Swan, an Equality Challenge Unit scheme to recognise commitment to advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine ("STEMM") subjects in higher education and research.  The ECU works to promote equality and diversity in higher education.

There is the Athena Swan Charter, and awards.   The University of Leicester has an institutional bronze award, nine departments have a departmental bronze award (including one that I work with, the Department of Infection Immunity and Inflammation) , and one (the Department of Health Sciences, which is also one of "mine") has silver.

Details of what needs to be demonstrated to be awarded bronze or silver are in the handbook.  To be awarded bronze, the department must belong to an institution that has been awarded bronze, and then demonstrate that it has identified challenges (where the department is in regard to gender equality, for example).  To be awarded silver, the department must demonstrate that it has taken action in regard to those challenges and can demonstrate impact.  To get gold, the department must be a "beacon of achievement" and an example of good practice to the community.

I have compiled a resource list of material held in the library (print or digital) relating to women in STEMM.   I notice that it only includes one "M", and have made a note to address that...