The School was successful in their application for an Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) silver award.
The award recognises progress made in advancing the representation of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM).
Prof Jonathan Sandy, head of the School of Oral and Dental Sciences, said: “This is great news and another landmark of success for the School. It was very much a team effort and I would like to thank all involved in our submission.
“This is very much a key award as we are the only Dental School nationally to have been awarded a silver award at a School level on our first submission to Athena SWAN. One other Dental School received a silver award as part of a Faculty level application.”
The scheme, which is open to universities and research institutions, provides them with the opportunity to apply for awards at bronze, silver and gold levels. Athena SWAN bronze awards are given to university departments that have identified particular challenges facing women in academia and are planning how to address these. Silver award holders must demonstrate, in addition, that they have taken action in response to challenges previously identified and can demonstrate the impact of the actions implemented.
The Athena SWAN Charter awards have been running since 2005, recognising the commitment of the higher education sector to address gender inequalities, tackle the unequal representation of women in science and to improve career progression for female academics.
The Athena SWAN Charter and awards are jointly owned by the Equality Challenge Unit and the UKRC, and are funded by Equality Challenge Unit, the Department of Health, the Royal Society and the Biochemical Society.