Notes from the Athena SWAN Meeting
Held on
Friday 17th February 2012
1. The Principles of the Athena SWAN Charter were noted.
2. Summary of Athena Submissions from Warwick
3. Funding Information
It was noted that funding agencies such as EPSRC / RCUK and HEFCE may factor Athena
Swan awards into the funding process.
4. Progression of Athena
(a) The existing University Athena Group should be considered as the Athena Network
Group. The group works well and offers support and guidance to departments on
submissions.
A high level Athena Steering Group needs to be created and led by one of the Pro-Vice
Chancellors.
Membership to possibly include: PVC as Chair (tba)
Senior HR Manager
Alison Rodger
Peter Winstanley or his representative
Pam Thomas or her representative
Sandra Beaufoy, HR Advisor, E&D
The group should meet 3 or 4 times per year and any actions should be reported
through the Equality and Diversity Committee to Senate and Council.
(i) Formal recommendation to SET departments to make submissions for the
November 2012 deadline, to be made through the Equality and Diversity
Committee and progressed through Senate and Council.
(ii) Formal recommendation that the University submit for a Silver award either in
November 2012 or April 2013 deadlines, to be made through the Equality and
Diversity Committee and progressed through Senate and Council.
(b) Framework for applications was considered.
(c) Timetable of submissions was considered.
5. Rapid Action Plan for SET Departments
The rapid action plan was drafted to give departments a clear indication of what is required
of them to start and work through the Athena submission process.
6. Resources
(a) Responsibility for administration for Athena submissions to be formally recognised in
workloads in departments.
(b) Dedicated support for Athena submissions be awarded
RESOLVED:
LW and SB to put together a short case for support for the proposed budget for
administrative support and submit to Tim Jones. EPSRC have provided money that could be used for
Athena support.
7.
University Initiatives for Athena
The following possible initiatives were discussed:
a. maternity return (ensure staff member’s research does not suffer)
b. maternity returns for post docs
c. change Annual review and promotions forms to include
“Note anything where you enabled or facilitated an outcome that was greater than
the sum of the individual components”
d. parents network
e. conference child care awards
f. annual meeting?
8.
HR Excellence in Research Award
Sharon Neal, accompanied by Leonie Walls and Sandra Beaufoy, will be presenting a paper to
the Research Committee on 22nd February, outlining the intention to submit a proposal to gain
the HR Excellence in Research Award. It is proposed to incorporate the resource costs to lead
this project into the cost of the FA6 administrator post request above.