From world-leading researchers to key administrative staff, the network is united in its commitment to increasing the numbers of women at the highest levels of the University – both in the academic and administrative arenas.
Key to this mission will be providing support and mentoring within the Departments and Faculties, so that more female staff put themselves forward for promotion and progression – something that is vitally important if Cambridge is to get the most from its excellent workforce and contribute to society at the highest levels of excellence.
Redressing gender inequality is a challenge that is shared by many organisations in academia and across the education sector.
At Cambridge, a number of important initiatives have been developed with this in mind, including the appointment of Professor Dame Athene Donald as Gender Equality Champion – one of three such advocates covering protected characteristics. The University has also established a range of diversity networks that promote equality issues for staff and students.
Speaking at the event, Professor Donald said: “I believe passionately that if we truly want to see women achieve what they are capable of, we need to work to improve opportunities for women staff and students.
“The University is a large and disparate place, and it needs people in all Schools and Divisions to do the same; to champion locally, and to make sure that the University is able to address issues that may be holding women back.”
Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor Jeremy Sanders added: “We are determined not only to improve progression prospects for current staff, but also to do much better in attracting talented women to pursue their careers in Cambridge.”
Reproduced courtesy of the University of Cambridge
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