Opportunities CommitteeWe are a team comprised of academics, Professional, Technical and Operational (PTO), learning and teaching and research staff from all departments across the School of Public Health aiming to improve the culture and diversity of SPH to improve opportunities of all staff and students through our Athena SWAN action plan.

The Athena SWAN initiative is a powerful driver to make positive changes. We meet every month to drive our 
Athena Swan Action Plan 2018 (PDF)

Data monitoring and consultations

Since 2010 we have monitored and reviewed academic career pathways for women including appointments and promotion. We report to the School Board to leverage change across the School. Data collection and review is on-going but we publish key metrics annually. 

We are currently carrying out a comprehensive review of the School with a view to defining how we position ourselves for the next decade. This consists of three working groups:

  1. People and culture
  2. Education
  3. Research and impact

A survey of all staff has been conducted to help shape the strategy. Each working group aims to build on the work of their respective committee to ensure their aims are better embedded in the School mission statement and processes. 

Improving career development, communication and culture

We have made our activities more transparent and widened communications through our webpages; termly newsletters and through events aimed at celebrating achievement and developing staff and students. 

We run a mentoring scheme open to all staff in the School. Based on feedback we introduced an event for Early Career Researchers highlighting opportunities and resources available within the College. This proved so successful it will now be run annually. 

We organise family-friendly events that have included trips to the Natural History Museum, London Zoo, London Aquarium, Kew Gardens and HMS Belfast.

Now that we have moved to the White City campus we offer coffee mornings, lunchtime seminars, and a new SPH Parents/Prospective Parents Support Group. 

We aim to attract women to the School and help them develop their potential and provide support and training to encourage fair practice and actively plan for promotion. 

Committee Members

Mrs Sumayah Awal

Mrs Sumayah Awal
School of Public Health Administrator

Dr Leon Barron

Dr Leon Barron
Reader in Analytical & Environmental Sciences, Environmental Research Group

Mr Rob Bell

Mr Rob Bell
Athena Swan Coordinator, Central Faculty

Ms Stav Friedman

Ms Stav Friedman
Project Manager, Environmental Research Group

Ms Ahlam Khamliche

Ms Ahlam Khamliche
Section Manager, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics

Ms Valentina Lotti

Ms Valentina Lotti
Operations Officer, Environmental Research Group