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Gender equality work

Athena Swan Charter

The Athena Swan Charter is an international framework which promotes and supports work undertaken to address gender equality within higher education and research. The charter recognises commitment to advancing the careers of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) employment. A key principle of the Athena Swan structure is to support the promotion of inclusive working practices that can increase the retention of valued academics and professional and support staff, demonstrating the institution’s commitment to an equitable working environment.

BSMS is committed to the Athena Swan Charter and have received the following awards:

2014 — Bronze Athena Swan Charter Award. The document is available to download here >
2017 — Silver Athena Swan Charter Award. The document is available to download here >
2023 — Gold Athena Swan Charter Award. This document is available to download here >*

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE ATHENA SWAN CHARTER HERE >

*We understand that this document is not currently fully compliant with accessibility requirements – we are working to make it fully accessible and will publish by the end of November 2024, for any enquiries please email inclusivity@bsms.ac.uk.

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Inspirational women of BSMS

Read the interviews and view the photobook that celebrates the inspirational women who work at BSMS.

Period Dignity scheme

BSMS is delighted to have joined the Period Dignity Project, started by the School of Life Sciences at the University of Sussex in 2020. The project operates on the belief that access to period products is a person’s right and aims to place free period products in bathrooms across campus. So far, free period products have now been placed in bathrooms across the University of Sussex campus, including the Medical Teaching Building, Medical Research Building, CISC, SHORE-C and Trafford as well as Watson building at the University of Brighton campus to try to help lessen some of the stressful effects of periods in our school for students and staff alike.

If you would like to make a donation of new and unused tampons, pads or menstrual cups/pants, please contact us below.

Menstrual Health Research

Dr Chi Eziefula, Senior Lecturer in Infectious Disease, co-leads a growing research group focusing on Menstrual Health. The video shows Chi talking about her research, the taboo around this healthy bodily process and the global movement around research to eliminate the stigma, support menstrual health and establishing a Menstrual Health policy at BSMS to create a supportive environment for students and staff who menstruate.

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Resources

Women in Higher Education Network

The Women in Higher Education Network (WHEN) hosts a platform for women including self-identifying women, trans women and non-binary people from all backgrounds, who work in any role in the higher education sector. WHEN recognises and celebrates women’s differences and is dedicated to equity of opportunity for women in higher education.

If you would like to find out more about the WHEN network and how to join, visit the website below.

VISIT THE WHEN WEBSITE HERE >