The School of Psychology has achieved an Athena SWAN Bronze Award which recognises the School’s commitment to the advancement and promotion of the careers of women in Science in higher education. Psychology has had to prove that it is serious about making their School a place where everyone is valued and all staff can progress.

Psychology had many great examples of good practice to articulate in their submission, including a policy of reduced workload to facilitate return to work post parental leave, and a growing proportion of women in senior decision making roles. Dr Georgina Randsley de Moura, Head of School said: ‘Psychology is proactively committed to equality and diversity, and our approach is one of inclusivity. We are delighted to achieve Bronze, and we look forward to putting in place additional steps to continue to improve our structure and culture’.

The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Dame Julia Goodfellow, responded to the news: ‘I congratulate the School of Psychology on their award. Their success reflects much hard work to improve the recruitment, retention and progression of women in the School; and the wide range of positive actions that are taking place. I want to thank all those involved.’

The Dean of Social Sciences, John Wightman, added his congratulations: ‘In November 2013 the University achieved an institutional Bronze Award. Since then, six schools of science have achieved awards and this new award for the School of Psychology shows how our ambition for real change is now being realised beyond the Faculty of Science. I attest to the excellent work that Psychology have been doing over the past few years. They joined the Athena SWAN Working Group in December 2013 and since then, have examined their practices and have an action plan to make real changes that are benefiting staff.’

Further information http://www.kent.ac.uk/human-resources/athenaswan/index.html