Brain Sciences students and staff

Promoting equality for all within the workplace

View and download our Athena Swan Silver Award application

The Department of Brain Sciences was awarded an Athena Swan Silver Award in May 2021.

The Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise a commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.

In May 2015, the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The Charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

Athena SWAN silver award logoThe Department of Brain Sciences is committed to promoting equality for all within the workplace and creating a diverse, inclusive and supportive working environment for all staff and students through its Athena SWAN programme.

We have achieved

  • Improving support for flexible working
  • Implementing a mentoring scheme
  • Increasing awareness and support for improved PRDP meetings
  • Championing a comprehensive EDI training programme
  • Offering support and training for those with line management responsibilities
  • Celebrating achievements
  • Establishing a transparent approach to promotions

We strive to continue

  • Addressing gender inequalities 
  • Changing cultures and attitudes 
  • Ensuring diversity at management and policy-making levels 
  • Reducing the high loss rate of women at pivotal career points
  • Improving the retention and progression of all staff and particularly women 
  • Breaking down the personal and structural obstacles allowing for a transition from PhD into a sustainable academic career

Our committee and champions

Our committee and champions

ImperialSAID seminars

Created by Brain Sciences PhD student Jess Chadwick, the first ImperialSAID (Scientists Advocating for Inclusivity and Diversity) seminar series ran in Spring 2020 to facilitate an understanding of EDI literature, provide a platform for minority researchers as role models and unite staff and students in support of EDI.

Learn more about the seminar series and view recordings of the sessions via the links below (Imperial login required):

Useful resources

Conference

Conference policy

The College has recently introduced a new conference policy which incorporates guidance on promoting equality, diversity and inclusion. This covers all conferences, meetings and workshops organised by Imperial staff and students, including events which take place off-campus and external events that take place at Imperial.

Find out more

Staff in conversation

Harassment and bullying support

Advice and information about who to talk to about harassment and bullying at Imperial.

Find out more

Brain Sciences LGBTQ Allies network logo

Brain Sciences LGBTQ+ Allies network

Brain Sciences' LGBTQ+ Allies network promotes LGBTQ+ visibility in the Department and provides a bridge with the wider LGBTQ+ STEM community

Find out more

Mentoring

Mentoring at Imperial

Mentoring is a widely used development tool that has proved to have a beneficial impact on effectiveness, confidence and career advancement.

Find out more

Parent and child

My Family Care

The College's My Family Care services are designed to meet the challenges that working parents and carers face and give access to a wide range of back up services, advice and information

Find out more (IC login required)

PRDP meeting

Personal Review and Development Plan (PRDP)

The Department is committed to creating a supportive, inclusive and highly motivated staff community across all disciplines, functions and activities. One of the ways this is done is through the annual Personal Review and Development Plan process (PRDP).

Find out more