This year the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science (SMSAS) at the University of Kent was been awarded an Athena SWAN Silver Award for its ongoing commitment to embed equality, diversity and inclusivity in the School. The School is the first at Kent and one of just nine university mathematics departments in the UK to receive the Athena SWAN Silver Award.
The SMSAS was the first School at Kent to receive an Athena SWAN Bronze Award in 2014 and has since made headway in increasing the number of female role models in the School, ensuring that more women are invited to speak at seminars and conferences, providing opportunities for students in the School to connect with staff and alumni through the School’s `Inspire Network’, and ensuring balanced representation at applicant days and open days. Alongside these initiatives, the School has also developed a flagship Maternity Leave Policy which has been highlighted as an example of best practice and adopted by a number of departments at Kent, and hosted dedicated outreach events such as `Girls in Maths’ to encourage young females to pursue mathematics beyond GCSE level.
On behalf of SMSAS at Kent, I am delighted to wish the Athena SWAN team a Happy 13th Birthday.
Professor Peter Clarkson, Chair SMSAS Self Assessment Team, University of Kent
Featured image shows some of the female academic and professional services staff and PhD students in the School.