The Department of Brain Sciences was awarded an Athena Swan Silver Award in May 2021.

The Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise a commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.

In May 2015, the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The Charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

The Department of Brain Sciences is committed to promoting equality for all within the workplace and creating a diverse, inclusive and supportive working environment for all staff and students through its Athena SWAN programme.

We have achieved

• Improving support for flexible working
• Implementing a mentoring scheme
• Increasing awareness and support for improved PRDP meetings
• Championing a comprehensive EDI training programme
• Offering support and training for those with line management responsibilities
• Celebrating achievements
• Establishing a transparent approach to promotions

We strive to continue

• Addressing gender inequalities 
• Changing cultures and attitudes 
• Ensuring diversity at management and policy-making levels 
• Reducing the high loss rate of women at pivotal career points
• Improving the retention and progression of all staff and particularly women 
• Breaking down the personal and structural obstacles allowing for a transition from PhD into a sustainable academic career

Our committee and champions

ImperialSAID seminars

Created by Brain Sciences PhD student Jess Chadwick, the first ImperialSAID (Scientists Advocating for Inclusivity and Diversity) seminar series ran in Spring 2020 to facilitate an understanding of EDI literature, provide a platform for minority researchers as role models and unite staff and students in support of EDI.

Learn more about the seminar series and view recordings of the sessions via the links below (Imperial login required):

• Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity at Imperial: Introduction to ImperialSAID
• Disability in STEM
• Women in Clinical Academia
• BAME in STEM: Do I Belong?
• LGBTQ in STEM