Department of Metabolism Digestion & Reproduction celebrates Silver Athena award

After earning a Silver Athena Swan Award, Dr Véronique Azuara reveals how MDR is creating lasting change in equality, diversity and inclusion.

We’re celebrating the Department of Metabolism, Digestion and Reproduction’s recent success in achieving a Silver Athena Swan Award. We caught up with Dr Véronique Azuara, Associate Professor in Stem Cell Biology, who played a key role in leading the application, to hear what the award means for the department, the challenges behind the process, and the initiatives driving real change in equality, diversity and inclusion.

Congratulations on achieving the Silver Athena Swan award! Can you tell us what this recognition means for the department?

"The Athena Swan Charter provides a vital framework for advancing gender equality within higher education and research institutions. Originally established to support the careers of women in STEMM, it now promotes a broader culture of inclusion - celebrating diversity and fostering environments where everyone can thrive, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age, role, or job title.

"Achieving the Silver Athena Swan Award is especially meaningful to us. It reflects our genuine commitment to building a positive and inclusive working culture, particularly as our newly launched department found its footing following the restructuring of the Faculty of Medicine. This transition offered a unique opportunity to re-evaluate our practices and drive forward impactful EDI initiatives, often in collaboration with other departments and Imperial’s outstanding central services." 

What were some of the biggest challenges in putting the application together, and how did you and the team overcome them?

"From the outset of my tenure as Chair, I was mindful of ensuring that every member of our People & Culture Committee had a voice and could meaningfully contribute. In essence, we didn’t just talk about inclusion, we operationalised it. 

"By introducing Champions to lead priority areas from our Interim Award, we fostered leadership at every level, creating a sense of agency and shared purpose. Listening to colleagues and students – through informal conversations and structured culture surveys – was also vital. The design and analysis of these surveys provided rich insights that shaped our actions in real time and kept us aligned with the lived experiences of our department.

"Achieving the Silver Athena Swan Award is especially meaningful to us. It reflects our genuine commitment to building a positive and inclusive working culture". Dr Véronique Azuara

"That said, putting the application together remained a demanding task for both Joanna Thompson (Director of Operations) and myself, who carried a significant load. At times, it could feel like a tick-box exercise requiring countless dedicated hours. But is it really? In truth, it serves as a framework for accountability. It’s a mirror reflecting what we’ve achieved and what we haven’t. It’s a declaration of intent. 

"One of our biggest hurdles has been collecting and accessing all the mandatory data essential for any honest self-assessment. We overcame it thanks to the precision and speed of Karen Pontifex, Staffing Manager in our “sister” department of Surgery and Cancer, and the insightful input of Benjie Coleman, our Communications Manager. I am deeply grateful for their support and unfailing enthusiasm."

What changes or initiatives have already made a difference in advancing equality, diversity and inclusion in the department?

"We’re proud to have achieved gender parity in leadership - a major milestone in our commitment to equity and progression. 

"To make promotions more transparent and empowering, we launched the Academic Expert Review Panel, where recently promoted staff offer tailored advice and mock interviews. Crucially, all staff are considered during promotion reviews - even those who haven’t applied - sparking new applications, especially from clinical women academics. 

"Our first Culture Survey also spotlighted urgent needs among postdocs and fellows. In response, we piloted Regaining a Sense of Empowerment – a UKRI-funded programme in collaboration with the PFDC (now ECRI) – aimed at helping early-career researchers reclaim balance, focus, and momentum post-pandemic.

"We’re not just talking about change - we’re making it happen."

"These are just a few examples of initiatives we’ve driven forward. They also stand as a testiment to our continued commitment to listening and responding to the lived experiences within our department.  We’re not just talking about change - we’re making it happen."

On a more personal note, what motivated you to take on the role of EDI Chair?

"There is something incredibly rewarding about contributing to something greater than ourselves – whether that’s fostering collaboration, promoting an inclusive workplace that nurtures creativity and engagement, or supporting younger staff to feel empowered and shape their own career paths.

"This role has also helped me develop a more comprehensive understanding of how our institution is structured and evolves. It has enabled me to work alongside diverse and talented colleagues across the university, and to cultivate transferable leadership skills that I intend to apply to equally impactful projects and opportunities."

For those who don’t know you, can you tell us a bit about your role in the Department and your work outside of being EDI Chair?

"I am an Associate Professor/Reader in Stem Cell Biology and Head of Section for Gonadal and Developmental Biology within our department. I lead a dynamic research group exploring how life begins, using cutting-edge stem cell-based embryo models alongside in vivo studies. Our work is internationally recognised for uncovering new principles of early development and the molecular roots of infertility and developmental disorders.

"Beyond the lab, I am a dedicated mentor and educator, guiding students and early-career researchers through their academic journeys. I am committed to fostering collaboration across disciplines and throughout our institution, championing researcher development, and helping shape a creative and supportive environment for scientific discovery."

And finally, outside of the world of applications, how do you like to spend your time?

"Being inspired and finding joy in the arts and nature is something I deeply value. We are incredibly privileged to live in a dynamic, creative, and culturally rich city – full of cosmopolitan energy and countless opportunities to reflect and be inspired.

"There is something incredibly rewarding about contributing to something greater than ourselves". Dr Véronique Azuara

"I've always had a passion for photography, with an eye for framing our world from different perspectives. I never tire of contemplating the everyday light, colour, and movement. I am glad that my two daughters share that same sensitivity and curiosity – finding their own unique ways to capture and appreciate the world around them."