Medical School wins prestigious award

Warwick Medical School (WMS) has recently become the first UK medical school to receive an Athena SWAN Bronze award for its work in supporting the Charter for Women in Science.

The Athena SWAN Charter is designed to provide recognition for good employment practice for institutions in which women are working in science, engineering and technology, specifically in higher education and research.

Universities and Departments within Universities submit an application to the Athena SWAN Charter, which was launched in June 2005, in order to be considered for an award. The submission is then considered and checked against Charter criteria, which centre around the support of women working in science.

Professor Peter Winstanley, Dean of WMS, said, “We are thoroughly delighted with our Bronze Award. It is a fitting recognition of our efforts to change and improve our practices so that women in the fields of science and medicine are supported and encouraged to drive forward advancements across our teaching practice and health research, ultimately resulting in improvements in patient treatment and care.”

He added, “Receiving the Bronze Award will make us even more committed to pursue innovative ways of working that offer a stimulating, engaging and inclusive work place.”

In terms of how the award would affect WMS students, Annie Young, Professor of Nursing at WMS, said, “The award sends a clear message that WMS is working to create a stimulating, supportive and inclusive work and study environment where women – students and staff – are encouraged and supported to achieve their full potential.”

Young also acknowledged WMS’ reputation for a “good induction process” and “good support for training and professional development”.

She added, “For women going on maternity leave, discussion takes place before and on return from leave to facilitate working at the same level and indeed career progression, whilst being flexible around family commitments. The University is delighted with the achievement. WMS is the first UK medical school to receive the award for its ‘whole-school’ activities”.

In a letter sent to WMS, representatives from Athena SWAN congratulated the team on their work in supporting women: “Warwick is the first medical school to receive Athena SWAN recognition at a school-wide level, which makes this a landmark achievement.”

Other university Departments to have received the Bronze Department Award include the University of Leicester’s Department of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation, as well as The Roslin Institute at the University of Edinburgh.