UCL-Institute of Child Health
Athena SWAN
13th Self-Assessment Team Committee Meeting
Wednesday 9th July 2014, 2:30pm, Lower Ground Floor Seminar Room, ICH
Present:
Dr Shamima Rahman (Chair)
Professor Ros Smyth (Director)
Professor Tessa Crompton
Professor Gudrun Moore
Professor Pete Scambler
Professor Jane Sowden
Dr Andy Stoker
Ms Natalie Marks
Mr Michael Williams
In attendance: Dr Sara Mole (LMCB Representative)
Apologies: Professor Maria Bitner-Glindzicz, Ms Wendy Knowles, Professor Jenny Morgan, Professor
Andy Copp, Dr Khalid Hussain, Dr Heather Bailey (Postdoctoral Representative)
Minutes
1.
Programme Steering Committees
Shamima provided information on the current gender equality in the programme steering committees.
She then reiterated for the SAT that, in accordance with the ICH Athena SWAN Action Plan, all
programme steering committees will need to have equal representation from both genders by 2016.
2.
Feedback from Faculty Equality & Diversity Committee
Tessa provided an update on the work currently being undertaken by the Faculty Equality & Diversity
Committee, including development of a database to record diversity in applications and unconscious
bias training.
3.
50/50 Committee
Shamima gave a brief overview of this committee which is chaired by Provost Professor Michael Arthur
and is attended by the Faculty SWAN Leads.
4.
Women at ICH – further call for role models?
The topic of encouraging additional role models for the ICH Athena SWAN website was discussed and
it was suggested an email is circulated to ich-all users asking for volunteers or nominations.
5.
uMentor
Sara Mole provided an in depth explanation of uMentor, the online UCL mentoring tool, and
encouraged all Athena SWAN SAT members to sign-up. uMentor is a method for staff to serve in the
capacity of either mentors or mentees for their colleagues. It is primarily aimed at academic/research
staff at all levels. Anna Furmanski will be delivering a presentation on uMentor at the upcoming
Academic Careers Day.
6.
Unconscious Bias Training - for all?
Shamima spoke to the recent ‘Unconscious Bias Training’ she attended and suggested this would be
valuable for all staff. Holding this training at ICH in the Kennedy Lecture Theatre as an open event for
all staff was discussed.
7.
SAT Membership
It was addressed that there is currently no ICH student representation on the SAT and it was
suggested this be resolved by inviting two new student members, one of each gender, to join this
committee. Postdoctoral staff representation was also discussed and it was again suggested that this
level of representation should be expanded as well to include two members, one of each gender.
Michael to extend invitations as appropriate to increase PhD and Postdoctoral representation.
8.
Brief Action Plan updates:

ICH SWAN Handbook
The proposed handbook was discussed and it was decided it should be a very straightforward
document for new starters available as an electronic download.
Michael to meet with Steve to discuss the format of the handbook.

ICH SWAN website
The committee was informed that Michael will be taking over the role of updating the ICH Athena
SWAN website.
Michael to process website updates.

ICH SWAN research excellence award
The scope and timeline of this award was deliberated by the committee and it was agreed a
nomination form would be drafted with an aim to announce the award in November 2014.
Jane to draft the nomination form.

Appraisal checklist
The current appraisal process was addressed and it was advised this should be amended to include
additional elements pertaining to Athena SWAN.

Postdoc/early careers forum
The first meeting of the Postdoctoral Steering Committee is scheduled for Monday, 14 July 2014.

Postdoc career development advisors
Pete advised that those seeking mentors for career development should utilise uMentor.

Annual survey
The group was informed that the last Athena SWAN survey took place in April 2013 and the last UCL
staff survey was undertaken in November 2013.
Michael to contact Harriet Jones regarding the survey results.

Annual Careers Day
The Annual Careers Day is scheduled for Thursday, 17 July 2014.
9.
All other business
It was agreed that a subcommittee will be convened prior to the next full meeting of the SAT to review
the current progress on the Action Plan.
Michael to organise subcommittee.
10. Next meeting: Tuesday 9 September 2014, 2.30pm