The Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences (ICAMS) has become the latest University of Glasgow recipient of a prestigious Athena SWAN Bronze award on 28 April 2016.

The awards, made by the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU), recognise commitment to tackling gender inequality in higher education. The University of Glasgow currently holds an Institutional Bronze Award from Athena SWAN while the Institute of Health and Wellbeing holds an Athena SWAN Silver award.

The award, along with other successful Athena SWAN award recipients, will be presented at an awards ceremony to be held at the University of Sheffield on Thursday 30 June.

Professor Rhian Touyz director of ICAMS said: “The Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences is committed to pursuing the ideals of the Athena SWAN Charter, ensuring that all staff are afforded the same career opportunities and representation regardless of gender, race, religion, or intersectionality.”

ICAMS has initiatives such as a ‘Parental Buddy Scheme’, where staff about to go on or returning from leave have the opportunity to be paired up with a maternity/paternity returner. The scheme is open to men and women before, during and after maternity, paternity, shared parental or adoption leave.

The Institute also has family friendly HR policies and maternity leave cover policy for ICAMS staff, including funding to cover maternity leave costs in the absence of grant funder support. There is also a core hours for meetings within ICAMS policy from 10am to 4pm, which will allow people with caring and other commitments, flexible and part time workers, the ability to attend meetings.

First published: 3 May 2016

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