Babraham Institute gains Silver Athena SWAN Award

Updated: 1 July 2015
The Babraham Institute has received a Silver Athena SWAN award following a successful first application submitted in November last year. The Babraham Institute, which is strategically funded by the BBSRC, becomes only the second research institute to ever receive a silver award on first application. Dr Anne Corcoran and Dr Danielle Hoyle from the Institute collected the award from Professor Dame Julia Higgins FRS FREng (Athena SWAN Patron) at the official ceremony held at the University of Greenwich on 15 June. The Athena SWAN Charter recognises commitment to advancing women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) in higher education and research.

The application was led by Dr Anne Corcoran, research group leader, and supported by an Institute-wide self-assessment team. Dr Anne Corcoran said: “We are incredibly pleased to have achieved a Silver Award for our first Athena SWAN application. Our application was the result of a concerted team effort across the whole Institute and the action plan will deliver benefits for all staff, male and female. It’s immensely satisfying to already see some of the fruits of our labour with the creation of a well-supported My Life in Science seminar series and mentoring arrangements to support researchers at PhD student and post doc level.”

Silver awards recognise the existing good practices in place by an organisation and a plan to build on these to further progress equal opportunities.

Professor Michael Wakelam, Institute Director said: “The award recognises the Institute’s commitment to promoting women’s careers in science, minimising barriers to progression and advancing equality and diversity. Our ambitious action plan will make sure that this commitment is evident in our activities, culture and policies going forward.”

Image description:

Dr Anne Corcoran, research group leader, (middle) and Dr Danielle Hoyle, Science and Grants Manager, (right) collect the Institute’s silver award from Professor Dame Julia Higgins FRS FREng (Athena SWAN Patron; left).