Equality, diversity and inclusion within the Faculty of Science and Engineering

Find out more about our commitments, responsibilities and actions
Diversity Equality Inclusion write on a sticky note isolated on Office Desk.
The Faculty of Science and Engineering Equality Diversity and Inclusion committee (EDIC) is made up of academic, technical, research and professional services staff. The EDIC is responsible for ensuring an inclusive learning environment, promotion of equal opportunities and prevention of any unlawful or unfair discrimination and harassment within the faculty in relation to staff and students. 
The EDIC supports the three schools with their EDI agendas: biological and marine sciences, engineering, computing and mathematics, and geography, earth and environmental sciences. We develop faculty-led initiatives, support the development and implementation of equality charters such as Athena Swan, and share best practice from across the University and the sector.

A diverse and respectful place in which to work and study is fundamental to everything we do. A diversity of backgrounds and experiences means diversity of perspectives and insight, both of which we harness in our inter-disciplinary School that addresses global sustainability challenges. We have developed a shared vision of how we want our workplace to be – captured in a document called Our Principles – which shapes the way we support each other as we strive for professional excellence.

Jon ShawProfessor Jon Shaw
Co-Chair Faculty EDIC, Head of School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

EDI matters to all of us. Unless we enable everyone in our community to contribute, and we value all of those contributions, we're less than we can be. We are at our best when we work together as a team, with each person respected for the diverse ways in which they help us achieve our ambitions and realise our goals.

Alex BeltonProfessor Alex Belton
Co-Chair Faculty EDIC, Head of School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

I believe that an equal, diverse and inclusive working environment is vital and beneficial for helping individuals for reaching their full potential.

Yinghui WeiProfessor Yinghui Wei
EDI Lead, School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics

Faculty EDI Committee members

Athena Swan

The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research. It was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment. The charter has since been expanded to include arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL) and staff working in professional, managerial and support roles (PMSS). The framework also now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, including consideration of the experience of trans staff and students, the underrepresentation of men in particular disciplines and intersectional issues. The Athena Swan Bronze, Silver and Gold awards testify to institutions’ and departments’ success in advancing these goals. Find out more about Athena Swan .
The School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics achieved a silver award in September 2024. The School of Biological and Marine Sciences and the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences achieved bronze Athena Swan awards in November 2019 and will be submitting their next applications in 2025.
 

Red Box Scheme

We want to help reduce menstrual inequities so in 2024, the Faculty of Science and Engineering joined the Red Box Scheme originally set up by the Faculty of Health Equality Team. This means we have arranged for boxes of period products to be available across all our buildings as part of our Athena Swan initiatives. 
The Red Box Scheme also supports any staff, students or visitors who are caught short on campus by ensuring they have access to free sanitary products when they need them. Where possible, the boxes have been placed in gender neutral/accessible toilets so that all genders have access. 
 

International Women’s Day 2025

International Women’s Day is celebrated across the globe to acknowledge female achievements, to recognise and address barriers to women’s advancement, and to continue working towards gender equality. The Faculty of Science and Engineering held an event on Wednesday 5 March for all staff and students to come together for a group photo and a series of inspiring talks from a range of speakers.
Thank you to our wonderful speakers: Anne Mather, Ari Drummond, Asiya Khan, Em Prestige, Jodie Fisher and John Spicer, who shared their journeys, their work and projects, their female influences, their passions and showed us that women are strong, determined, and really can change the world.
Each School in the Faculty holds an Athena Swan award which recognises our efforts and successes, but also our commitment to continue to address gender and intersectional inequalities and to ensure that everyone feels safe, included and supported. Find out more about Athena Swan  
International Women’s Day 2025
 

EDI workshops

As part of a drive to make the Faculty of Science and Engineering as inclusive as possible, and to help explore new ways of doing so, our three Schools ran EDI workshops for their members of staff. 
These workshops aimed to raise awareness and discussion of non-inclusive and unconscious behaviours and attitudes, empowering staff to develop next steps for inclusivity in their Schools. 
Feedback from attendees was overwhelmingly positive and therefore we would like to celebrate the success of these workshops and highlight this as a stepping stone on the Faculty’s journey to being more inclusive.
Read about the SECaM , SoBMS and SoGEES workshops, feedback and next steps.
 

The Herschel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership

The University of Plymouth have five colleagues participating in the Hershel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership 2023. This 6-month course is running for the second year and is open to all technical staff who identify as women. Four Plymouth technicians were in the first cohort of the programme in 2022 which is hosted by MITalent and supported by UKRI. The programme is a key part of the Technician Commitment and aims to increase the number of women in technical leadership roles to address the gender imbalance. 
The Herschel Programme for Women in Technical Leadership event 2023

Herschel is helping me focus on self-belief and on finding positive strategies with which to influence my working life and career goals. I would recommend this programme for anyone identifying as a woman and wanting career enhancement advice and peer support.

Demelza CarneDr Demelza Carne
Senior Technician in the School of Biological and Marine Sciences, 2023 programme participant

The Herschel Programme was a fantastic opportunity to meet like minded female technicians from across the UK, and to learn both with them, and from them, about leadership roles within the technical field. It was the first time I have seen an opportunity specifically for female technicians, and I found it inspiring, empowering and most of all motivating. I have loved putting the practice into action this year, and inspiring others to give the programme a go.

Jodie FisherDr Jodie Fisher
Technical Specialist in the School of Geography Earth and Environmental Sciences, 2022 programme participant

The Herschel programme has given me a lightbulb moment I didn’t know I needed. The challenges faced on a daily basis are replicated across the country in Universities and my situation isn’t unique. By bringing women together to discuss these issues and focus on solutions it’s been a valuable experience so far!

Marie PalmerMrs Marie Palmer
Senior Technician in Marine Biology, 2023 programme participant

Girls into Geoscience VC award for EDI 2023

Girls into Geoscience won the 2023 EDI VC award which recognises a team that has delivered a measurable beneficial impact towards Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the University. 
Girls into Geoscience is a pioneering initiative which aims to inspire girls to consider a career in the sciences. A comment by a teacher to a potential female geology student, “Geology is not for Girls” sparked co-founders of Girls into Geoscience, Dr Jodie Fisher and Dr Sarah Boulton, to take radical action to improve the number of female applicants for Earth Science programmes, as well as seeking to widen aspirations and opportunities for girls to engage with geoscience with female experts modelling the way. 
Since being launched in 2014 over 600 female school students have taken part in the two-day Girls into Geoscience residential event and the initiative has been awarded the Geological Society’s R H Worth Award presented in recognition of achievements in outreach, engagement and education. The team continue to inspire and model best practice for widening participation in the Sciences and have supported the development of a sister initiative Girls into Chemistry .

Find out more about EDI work in our schools

School of Engineering Equality Diversity and Inclusion
School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
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School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
diversity inclusion marine
School of Biological and Marine Sciences
If you have any queries about Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in the Faculty of Science and Engineering please contact the Senior Administrator Equality and Diversity Support, Emily Bradley .