Athena SWAN
Athena SWAN is a charter managed by the UK Equality Challenge Unit to recognise good practice in higher education aimed at advancing gender equality.
School of Cancer Sciences has achieved the Athena SWAN gold award.
Our Commitment
"It gives me great pleasure and pride to reaffirm the commitment of the School of Cancer Sciences to fully enact our Athena Swan Gold Award action plan.
Our staff and students co-created the SCS mission “To perform patient-centred research to transform cancer outcomes. Fostering world-class cancer research with impact, in an environment which values team science, work-life balance, well-being and maximising the potential of all staff regardless of background or job family”. To support this ambition, EDI is interwoven into all strategic decision making and we have allocated dedicated budget and administrative resources to support Athena Swan activities facilitated by our innovative award-winning V.O.I.C.E committee.
Embedding EDI at the point of design and completing our previous AS silver action plan has reaped enormous rewards. Over the last 10 years we have seen our female professors increase from 1 to 9, senior female clinical academics from 25% to 55% and women in leadership roles now 55% - including the last two Heads of School. This virtuous circle of positive role models, inclusive working practices and an unwavering focus on equality of opportunity has transformed our research culture.
I am particularly proud of the steady flow of trail-blazing initiatives emerging from diverse staff and student groups tackling challenging issues of intersectionality as well as gender equality. These have led to real impact both within and beyond the school. For example we have led initiatives to better support neurodiversity, highlighted the importance of allyship and LGBT+ role models in science, and celebrated cultural diversity. These activities have taught us a lot about how such activities build communities, set a culture, enhance communication and establish safe spaces where diversity flourishes.
Of course we are not complacent. Our staff and student surveys highlighted areas where improvement is needed. Having witnessed firsthand the enthusiastic and creative drive of our VOICE committee and SAT when designing our next action plan I am eagerly anticipating further progress towards our overarching goals of true gender parity and equality for all our staff and students."
Professor Chris Halsey
Head of School of Cancer Sciences
VOICE
VOICE was created after receiving our Athena SWAN Silver Award in 2019.
Our actions aim to support and promote equality and diversity, bringing representation, progression and success for all.
VOICE Committee terms of reference
Responsibility
The aim of the School of Cancer Sciences’ (SCS) Visibility, Opportunity, Inclusion, Career Development and Equality (VOICE) Committee is to raise awareness about these aforementioned topics within the SCS. The committee brings together staff and students to identify, discuss and support the ICS Director and to the College Equality, Inclusion and Diversity Committee (CEIDC) on the development and implementation of best practice on equality and diversity.
Remit
- To support the SCS in achieving the highest standards of inclusion and equality on Age, Disability, Race, Sex, Sexual Orientation. Gender Reassignment, Pregnancy and Maternity, Religion or Belief, and Marriage and Civil Partnership*.
- To have a committee whose membership represents the diversity within the ICS community.
- To embed equality and diversity in all School functions and activities.
- To act as an effective channel of communication between the ICS community and the School and College management on issues related to equality and diversity.
- To liaise with the CRUK Beatson Institute to develop and implement common equality practices, where possible.
- To focus on our diverse workforce by comprising of sub-committees on Students, Well-being and Work-life Balance, Career Development, Management & Professional Administration, Technicians, Communications, Seminars & Events, and Neurodiversity & Disability.
- To prepare and achieve national Athena Swan accreditation for ICS.
Reporting line
Head of School, SCS Executive Group and MVLS CEIDC, but liaising widely with other committees and managers as required.
Membership
The VOICE committee is always happy to welcome new members with the expertise and/or commitment to promote diversity and equality within the SCS community. The committee reviews its membership and remit annually,seeks new members and associates if additional expertise is needed. The Group meets 6 times per year and where a current member is unable to attend a nominated replacement is desirable.
The VOICE Committee members
Chairs
Joanna Birch, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow
Conchita Vens, Reader and PI
VOICE Administration
Angela Newlands, Administrator
Susanne Hendry, Communications
VOICE Members
Amy Muir, Postdoctoral Research Associate
Asma Ahmed Hassan Elshiekh, Postdoctoral Research Associate
Claire Mitchell, CRUK SI Senior Scientific Officer
Conchita Vens, Reader, VOICE Chair, VOICE Data Manager
Dave Bryant, Professor, LGBTQIA+ Group Chair
Gareth Inman, Representative, Research Strategy and Development Board
Heather Jorgenson, PGR Convenor and Representative
Hing Leung, Representative, Innovation Engagement Enterprise Board
Jacqueline Coutts, Head of Office, Representative Professional Services
Jennifer Cassels, Technician, RESPECT Advisor, Technician Group Chair, TCNN Representative
Joanna Birch, UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, VOICE Chair, Women in Leadership Group Chair
Johan vande Voorde, Senior Fellow, EDI in Career Development Group Chair
Karin Oien, Senior Clinical Research Professor, Neurodiversity and Disability Group
Keilly MacDonald, MVLS EDI Representative
Laura Richmond, PGT Convenor and Representative
Leo Carlin, Senior Principal Investigator
Louise Mitchell, CRUK SI Principal Scientific Officer, Diversity & Inclusivity Group Chair
Nikki Paul, CRUK SI Principal Scientific Officer
Sharon Gorman, Head of People and Culture, CRUKSI EDI Representative
Stacey Hoare, Chief Technician/Laboratory Manager, Health & Wellbeing Group Chair
Susanne Hendry, Communications