Athena SWAN Divisional SAT, 31st October 2014, 14:00-15:00, BME
meeting Room
Attendees: Serena Counsell (SC), David Cox (DC), Prachi Patkee (PP) Marta Varela
Amaral (MVA), Verity Birch (VB), Rafa Torres (RT),
Apologies: David Edwards (DE), Reza Razavi (RR), Erica Andreozzi (EA), Kazumi Chia
(KC)
1. Divisional Bronze Award
SJC thanked everyone for all of their hard work, which has resulted in the Division
being awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze Award.
2. Action Plan
Attendees reviewed the objectives in the Divisional Action Plan:
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Objective 1.1 – Career day/ Post-doc/ PhD form –
MVA has contacted Martina, post-doc champion at IoP to share ideas. MVA
reported that the IoP has a vibrant post-doc group and hoped that we could
improve Divisional post-doc interactions. MVA suggested that it may be useful
to have a Divisional post-doc rep.
o Action – PP & EA to schedule another PhD student/ post-doc forum
Objective 1.1 – outreach –VB reported that there will be a number of school
visits that are currently run by academics, but that it would be good if PhDs
and post-docs could attend. SC commented that there were other initiatives
taking place in Perinatal Imaging led by Anita Montagna and Diliana Pecheva.
SJC has informed Alice Taylor-Gee about these activities.
o Action – EA and PP to speak to post-doc and PhD forums about the above, see
what support they would need to achieve this and to feedback to the group.
Objective 3.1 – fellowships - SC has a list of fellowship application up to
October 2014 and will collect this information every 6 months from Pam
Mellen. In the last 12 months, 12/22 applications have been from women
scientists in the Division.15 applications were unsuccessful and outcome is
awaited for 7 applications. DC raised issue of ACFs and it was decided that new
AS admin lead would collate data on ACF numbers.
Objective 3.1 – fellowships - KS has contacted a person from Graduate School
to come in September and give a Divisional seminar on what support and
training is available for graduate students at College level.
Action - PP is leading on this and suggested dates are early 2015
Objective 3.1 - Monitor exit interviews – 2 people have completed exit
interview in the last 6 months. HR will provide SC with exit interview data
every 6 months.
Objective 4.1 – improving monitoring of job application success rates –
SC advised that there are problem with the e-recruitment system, which makes
monitoring difficult. SC will keep Committee apprised of any new
developments with e-recruitment.
Objective 4.4 – recruitment committees – SC advised that monitoring this
via e-recruitment may also be difficult
Objective 4.5 – Divisional mentorship scheme –
Action - SC to send out feedback forms before the end of October 2014
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SC will also review KCL mentorship schemes and feed-back at next meeting
Objectives 5.2 & 5.3 – committee chairs - feedback from Department manager
to be requested in January 2015 when new AS admin lead is in place.
Objective 5.6 – maternity return rate – data to be collected by new AS admin
lead
Objective 5.7 – ‘emergency child care fund’ – There was a discussion on how
expand the current pilot scheme. KC suggested that, in the few instances where
additional short-term child-care could not be provided by the member of staff,
requests for funding should be supported by their line manager. There was a
discussion about having a monthly budget to prevent the allocation being
exhausted in a short time. The mechanisms for extending this pilot will remain
under review.
KC has initiated a virtual parental support group and Alice Taylor-Gee will be
point of contact whilst KC is on maternity.
3. New academic lead
o Action - SC to speak to TS & RR about recruiting a new academic lead.
o It was agreed that we will seek new Committee members following appointment
of new academic Lead.
4. Admin support
SC has discussed appointing a new lead with Lorna. Alice Taylor-Gee will cover in
the short term until the current admin vacancies are filled.
5. Women in Science Seminars
SC reported that Jenifer Siggers from Imperial is giving the next seminar on 11th
November. MV will introduce Jennifer as SC is away.
6. Next meeting
The date of the next meeting was agreed - Friday 30th January at 2:00 in the
Perinatal Dept Meeting Room.