Webinar preview: Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) and Athena SWAN #SAGEPilot

Posted on May 4, 2016 by Hazel Hall

The equivalent body to the UK’s Equality Challenge Unit in Australia is Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE). SAGE is currently running a pilot of Athena SWAN in Australia in which 32 STEMM universities and research organisations are participants. They are all keen to improve the education and career outcomes of all women, and to boost the recognition of under-represented groups such as transgender scientists, indigenous Australian researchers and other minority groups. Following completion of the pilot, the long-term ambition of SAGE is to replicate the UK’s success of Athena SWAN as an evaluation and accreditation programme to enhance gender equity and diversity. Continue reading →

Celebrations of International Women’s Day 2016 #iwd2016

Posted on March 14, 2016 by Hazel Hall

As was the case in many UK universities, last Tuesday 8th March – International Women’s Day – was a busy day for Edinburgh Napier University’s Athena SWAN teams. The coordinators of our gender equality network (GEN) – Dr Clare Taylor (Senior Lecturer in the School of Life, Sport and Social Sciences) and Frances Ryan (PhD student, School of Computing) – organised ‘equality breakfasts’ on each of the three main University campuses. These were co-hosted by the Athena SWAN leads for our six schools and Equate Scotland, the Edinburgh Napier based organisation that supports the recruitment, retention, development, and progression of women in science, engineering, technology and the built environment in Scotland. Continue reading →

Tackling gender inequality from the classroom to the boardroom: workshop preview

Posted on March 6, 2016 by Hazel Hall

A pirate princess gender stereotype compromise?

Why do we continue to see gender stereotyping in education?
What is the impact of such gender stereotyping on the labour market?
How does gender stereotyping limit career opportunities for individuals?
What are the wider impacts of gender stereotyping on society at large?
Which approaches work best in achieving sustained change with respect to gender imbalance in educational settings and the workplace?

These questions will be addressed at a half-day workshop on tackling gender inequality, hosted by the Employment Research Institute (ERI) at Edinburgh Napier University from 10:00-13:00 on Tuesday 10th May 2016. The discussions will take into account recent research on gender imbalances in education and key sectors of the economy undertaken at the ERI. Continue reading →

Soapbox Science is coming to Edinburgh

Posted on March 3, 2016 by Hazel Hall

The grassroots public outreach programme Soapbox Science is coming to Edinburgh this summer. This free public event, which takes place on the Mound from noon to 3pm on on July 24th 2016, is one of several throughout the UK designed to promote the visibility of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM).

My colleague Dr Clare Taylor and I became involved in Soapbox Science last summer. One of its co-founders – Dr Seirian Sumner – was in the audience when we made our presentation about Edinburgh Napier University’s work to support the careers of women in STEM at the June 2015 Athena SWAN awards ceremony. Serian was inspired by our energy and enthusiasm for women in science issues, and particularly interested in Clare’s 2014 Edinburgh Fringe show Women – Science is not for you! After the awards ceremony Serian made contact to invite us to become involved in Soapbox Science, and we agreed to arrange for Edinburgh Napier University to present an event in Edinburgh in 2016. Continue reading →

Ada Lovelace Day 2015 and the economic imperative for more women in STEM

Posted on October 13, 2015 by Hazel Hall

Today is Ada Lovelace Day, the international celebration of the achievements of women in science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). At Edinburgh Napier University we’re marking the day with a public lecture to be delivered by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock this evening at our Craiglockhart campus. In her presentation Dr Aderin-Pocock will address the question of why so few girls take up careers in science, technology engineering and maths. She will explain why we need more women in these areas and propose strategies to encourage girls to study the STEM subjects at school so that these career routes are open to them. Continue reading →

Ada Lovelace Day 2015: Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock on the challenge of women in science

Posted on October 6, 2015 by Hazel Hall

Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock

We’re marking Ada Lovelace Day 2015 next Tuesday 13th October at Edinburgh Napier University by hosting a public lecture by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock MBE (BBC Sky at Night presenter) on the challenge of women in science.

Although science and technology play a critical role in our lives, a significant proportion of the population is under-represented in this workforce. Maggie will address the question of why so few girls take up careers in science technology engineering and maths (STEM). She will explain why we need more women in these areas, outlining a three-pronged approach to ensure that all are encouraged to study the STEM subjects.

I very much enjoyed hearing Maggie speak in Glasgow last year. Continue reading →

Athena SWAN awards ceremony June 2015: a review in pictures #asawards

Posted on June 27, 2015 by Hazel Hall

On Monday 15th June I set off with my colleague Dr Clare Taylor for a day trip to London to participate at the Athena SWAN awards ceremony for all who made successful Athena SWAN award submissions in November 2014. It was a long day: I was up before 4:00am to be sure to catch the tram to the airport in time for the 07:20am flight to London City Airport.

Flight BE1329 to London City airport

Continue reading →

Athena SWAN awards ceremony June 2015

Posted on June 15, 2015 by Hazel Hall

Edinburgh Napier University was granted an Athena SWAN bronze award earlier this year. This was following the assessment of a detailed application document that I submitted on behalf of the University in November 2014.

Athena SWAN is the Equality Challenge Unit’s charter for women in science. The charter recognises the commitment of universities to the advancement of women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM). As part of its work the Equality Challenge Unit grants bronze, silver and gold awards to organisations that can demonstrate increasing levels of good practice in recruiting, retaining and promoting women in STEMM in higher education.

Continue reading →

Edinburgh Napier University granted Athena SWAN bronze award

Posted on April 24, 2015 by Hazel Hall

Alongside my research and teaching activities at Edinburgh Napier University, I am the University’s Academic Champion for Athena SWAN. This week I was pleased to hear that much of the work that I have led in this role since 2013/14 has been recognised externally.

Continue reading →

Applications invited for Lecturer, Associate Professor and Professor appointments within Edinburgh Napier’s School of Computing

Posted on February 9, 2015 by Hazel Hall

I’m always excited when we advertise for new staff and research students, particularly when they are in my area. Who will apply? Who will be short-listed for interview? Who will be offered the job? How will the new appointee contribute to teaching of the Information Systems group? What will the new appointee bring to the research in the Centre for Social Informatics?

Continue reading →

Hazel Hall

Emeritus Professor, Edinburgh Napier University

Tag Archives: Athena SWAN

Webinar preview: Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) and Athena SWAN #SAGEPilot

Celebrations of International Women’s Day 2016 #iwd2016

Tackling gender inequality from the classroom to the boardroom: workshop preview

Soapbox Science is coming to Edinburgh

Ada Lovelace Day 2015 and the economic imperative for more women in STEM

Ada Lovelace Day 2015: Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock on the challenge of women in science

Athena SWAN awards ceremony June 2015: a review in pictures #asawards

Athena SWAN awards ceremony June 2015

Edinburgh Napier University granted Athena SWAN bronze award