Biological Sciences achieves prestigious Athena SWAN bronze award

Although more women than men enrol in undergraduate programmes in Biological Sciences and numbers remain roughly equal for PhD students and postdoctoral researchers, more men than women become lecturers and only two out of 13 professors at Southampton are women.

 

Dr Alan Marchant has led a working party that has examined ways of improving recruitment and employment processes, highlighting family friendly policies and flexible working opportunities to encourage more women academics to apply for posts at Southampton.

 

"We know women are interested in studying the biological sciences but we need to provide better opportunities for female academics and set in place improved career progression systems," he explains. "The Athena SWAN scheme makes us look at all our processes to make sure they recognise equality and diversity and this benefits everyone."

Biological Sciences are taking part in a Faculty-wide initiative to help women scientists continue with their research while having a family. They are invited to apply for funds to enable projects to carry on during their maternity leave so their future prospects are not damaged by a career break.