Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

The Department of Biosciences is fully committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). We believe that excellence in research, teaching and student achievement is enhanced by a vibrant and diverse community that is fairly and openly recruited and supported.

Our management team is committed to the EDI principles, ensuring that they are formalised in all departmental processes and strategy. In doing so we create an environment for work and study that promotes equality of opportunity for all regardless of Ethnic origin, Gender, Sexual orientation, Disability, Age, or Religion and takes into account personal circumstances such as pregnancy, maternity, adoption, parental leave or roles as carers. For example, we support applications for restricted working hours, laboratory support during maternity leave and mentoring. Our EDI Committee reports at each termly Board of Studies meeting and is represented on our Department Management Committee, ensuring EDI issues are discussed at the highest level in the Department. The EDI committee also carries out staff and student surveys to obtain views on EDI in the Department, and this feedback is used in decision-making by the Management Committee.

We have in place an Athena SWAN Action Plan to guide our efforts to further support and improve the career progression of women in science. Our aim is to build on our AS Bronze award and progress to AS Silver in our next application at the end of the current award period.