Equality and Diversity

The Department of Mathematical Sciences works hard to support an inclusive culture that values the diversity of its staff and students.

We are supporters of the London Mathematical Society's Good Practice Scheme and hold an Athena SWAN Silver Award. We recognise the advancement of gender equality for all in terms of representation, progression and success.

More information and support relating to equality and diversity issues can be found on the following pages for staff and students.

Department Equality and Diversity Committee

Athena SWAN

We were awarded an Athena SWAN Silver Award in 2019 in recognition of the progress we have made in the advancement of gender equality in the department. The Silver Action Plan is available to read. It sets out some of the further commitments we have made to improving departmental processes over the period 2019-2023. The Department Equality and Diversity Committee is responsible for ensuring the delivery of the action plan.

Women in Mathematics events

The Department is a supporter of the London Mathematical Society Good Practice Scheme. Funds are available to cover expenses of staff and postgraduate students wishing to attend Women in Mathematics events or other related activities.

Contact the Chair of the Department Equality and Diversity Committee, Matt Roberts for more information.

The two Women in Mathematics days at the Isaac Newton Institute were inspirational and informative. They featured talks from distinguished women covering a broad range of mathematical fields and showcased some great mathematics.

I found the talks very eye-opening, to discover the challenges some of the women had overcome to get to where they were in their career. The event also outlined the importance of being aware of bias and working to reduce stereotype threat.

I encourage everyone to try and attend one of the future events if they get the chance.

Hayley Wragg, PhD student

Postgraduate study

We are committed to increasing the diversity of postgraduate mathematicians in the department, to ensure that moving from an undergraduate degree to a postgraduate degree is a natural step. Read more about our Centre for Doctoral Training.

Some things that the Department Equality and Diversity Committee has done

In no particular order...

  • Set up new recruitment processes for all career stages, designed to encourage more applications from women and other groups under-represented in the department.
  • Introduced a department promotions committee to encourage and help eligible staff to apply for promotion.
  • Created “what to do if…” posters which can be found around the department and on the PG moodle zone.
  • Supported Women in Maths society to run an annual conference.
  • Begun to roll out new training course for tutors on respect and support, to be expanded to all PGRs.
  • Organised an annual promotions workshop to familiarise staff with promotions criteria and procedures.
  • Standardised the way that key roles in the department are assigned, with email from HoD inviting anyone eligible to express an interest, followed by consultation with senior staff to decide on the best candidate.
  • Created a template code of conduct for events, including highlighting what to do if anyone experiences anything inappropriate at an event.
  • Encouraged staff and postgraduates to consider adding an email signature stating that they did not expect replies outside working hours.
  • Developed a mentoring scheme whereby all academic and research staff are now able to have mentors if they wish.
  • Instigated guidance that important meetings and seminars should be held within core hours (10am-4pm).
  • Standardised details on department policies around leave, including support for anyone returning from long-term leave, and made them available on the staff moodle zone.
  • Provided a budget to support professional services staff for continuing professional development.
  • Funded and promoted department-driven support networks for under-represented groups.
  • Began work on a Race Equality Action Plan, which is almost finalised and should start being implemented in the 2022/23 academic year.