ISER is committed to ensuring a positive and inclusive environment for all our colleagues. We want all our staff and students to treat each other with respect and to feel they are an integral part of the ISER community, where everyone can contribute to university life, knowledge and growth.
“I am proud to work with so many outstanding colleagues, so many of whom are women. I am absolutely committed to ensuring ISER remains a place that fosters the sort of environment that leads to equality of opportunity and a positive culture for everyone.”—Professor Emily Grundy
The Athena SWAN Charter
The Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research. The University of Essex obtained an Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award in November 2013 and renewed it in November 2017. In May 2015, the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and 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.
ISER was awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze Award in March 2022
Women in ISER
Over half of our professors, half of our research staff and half of our PhD students are female. The majority of our professional services staff, involved in a wide range of management, administrative support, communications and survey and data systems roles, are also female. Go to our staff page to find out more about the talented women in our department.
ISER’s Self-Assessment Team
Our Athena SWAN application was put together by the Self-Assessment Team. It was led by Cara Booker together with Alita Nandi, Paul Clarke, Peter Lynn, Angus Holford, Angela Newsam Violetta Parutis, Larissa Pople, Patryk Bronka and Emilia Del Bono.
Resources for staff and students
There are a wide range of opportunities, resources, and support networks, both within and outside the university, available to our staff and students.
- Equality and Diversity at Essex
- Report and Support – The University of Essex has a zero tolerance approach to sexual violence, harassment and hate crime. All staff, students, and visitors to our campus can report something anonymously or get support from an adviser.
- Bystander Intervention Training for staff and students
- Dealing with workplace conflict – Moodle resources to help if you’ve faced or witnessed bullying, conflict and harassment at work
- Flexible working
- Occupational health – including vouchers for eyesight test and vouchers, and resources for mental health and wellbeing
- Taking leave – This includes guidance on taking annual leave and leave under most possible circumstances, including maternity and paternity, adoption/surrogacy, miscarriage, compassionate leave, and sickness
- Pregnancy advice and support for employees and students
- Government tax-free childcare scheme
- Career development fund for carers – Financial support to offset additional childcare costs of attending conferences and networking events
- Essex LGBTQ+ alliance
- Essex Access forum – Supporting physical and non-physical access at Essex
- Essex Women’s Network
- Parental Support Network