Equality and diversity
We are committed to equality of opportunity for all current and prospective students and staff.
As individual schools, we were both awarded a bronze Athena SWAN award, which reflects a commitment to the advancement and promotion of the careers of women in Science, Engineering and Technology.
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The School provides a supportive environment where all can flourish and reach their full potential. We do not tolerate discrimination on the basis of sex, pregnancy and maternity, gender, gender reassignment, disability, race, ethnic or national origin, age, sexual orientation, socio-economic background, religion and belief, political beliefs, family circumstances including marriage and civil partnership and trade union membership.
Our family-friendly policies aim to ensure that an appropriate work-life balance can be achieved - for example, we aim to organise all School meetings within our core hours of 9.30am and 3.30pm.
We also offer:
- Flexible working
- Support for parents
- Support for carers
- Funding for early careers researchers
In addition, the University provides support in a number of areas. Learn more about the University's commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion.
We ensure that all colleagues are aware of the University's dignity and respect policy, which includes Report and Support for staff and students.
Hidden disabilities
Members of the School EDI Committee have identified the importance of talking about hidden disabilities.
Athena SWAN legacy
Previously, the individual schools of Mathematics and Actuarial Sciences, and Informatics were awarded for providing a good working environment for its staff and in 2013 was successful in achieving a Bronze award.
This national award is recognition that in addition to institution-wide policies, the School is working to promote gender equality and to identify and address challenges particular to the School and discipline.
About the Athena SWAN Charter
The Athena SWAN Charter recognises advancements in gender equality: representation, progression and success for all. The Charter was established in June 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research. The Charter was expanded in May 2015 to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law, and in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students.
The importance of Athena SWAN
The Charter examines the representation of women (and men), the progression of students into academia, the journey through career milestones and how gender may affect these areas and the working environment for all staff. We know that women are under-represented in science - the more senior the role, the greater the deficit. In some disciplines there is significant under-representation of women at all levels. Disciplines with under-representation run the risk of missing talented people it would otherwise gain and retain, and disciplines dominated by one gender are likely to have an unbalanced approach.
If you wish to find out more about our departmental engagement with Athena SWAN please get in touch with Genovefa Kefalidou (gk169@le.ac.uk).