It was announced on 25 September that the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Actuarial Science have been awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze Award.

The award recognises SMSAS’ commitment to the advancement and promotion of the careers of women in Science in higher education.

Professor Peter Clarkson, Interim Head and Chair of the SMSAS Athena SWAN committee, has led the application and the initiative in the School. He commented:

‘Without doubt, the Athena Swan agenda and activities have helped shape an excellent school wide environment; discussions on promotion, workload and the work environment, have opened eyes and disseminated good practice.’

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Julia Goodfellow, responded to the news:

‘I congratulate the SMSAS on being the first Science School at the University of Kent to be awarded an Athena SWAN Departmental Award. Their application represents many years of working to improve the recruitment, retention and progression of women in the School; and showcased the wide range of positive actions that have taken place to bring this about. Everyone in the School can rightly claim credit. Peter Clarkson and all involved in preparing the application deserve particular thanks.’

The Dean of Sciences, Professor Mark Burchell, who chairs the Athena SWAN Working Group, added his congratulations:

‘It is very good to see that SMSAS has won the first School level Athena Swan award to complement the institutional Bronze Award gained earlier this year. The SMSAS award attests to the excellent work the School have been doing over the past few years. They have examined their practices and have started to make real changes that are benefiting staff. All the other Science Schools are also leading their own Athena SWAN submissions, for application soon, reflecting our faculty wide ambition for real change.’

The Athena SWAN Working Group first met in 2010. Since then, the membership has grown, Awareness Days have promoted the initiative across the University, and the University has been awarded an institutional Athena SWAN Bronze Award. The SMSAS Award adds to the growing evidence that the ambition for real change is being realised.