Committee

We want our school to be a supportive working environment in which all members of staff (academic, teaching, research, administrative and technical) and students reach their full potential. We review school policies and consult with everyone working within the school in order to improve transparency and fairness at all stages of a career.

We run the BEDI committee in an open and fair manner, with terms of reference for the committee, representation from all parts of the school, vacancies openly advertised, and encouragement of regular committee turnover (with a small number of staff with specific expertise retained). We meet 6-8 times/year and undertake many activities and events.

    • Kevin Laland (2013), Professor, CBD, Emeritus BEDI Director (2022), Anti-racism advocate
    • Sascha Hooker (2013), Professor, SOI, Emeritus BEDI Director (2016-2022)
    • Donna Pierz-Fennell (2013), School Manager, Wellbeing Officer, School Safety Committee rep
    • Tracey Gloster (2016-2022), BEDI Director (2024-), Reader, BSRC
    • Karen McGregor (2018), HR Equality and Diversity Awards Adviser
    • Judith Sleeman (2021), Senior Lecturer, BSRC, Head of Public Engagement
    • Carol Sparling (2021), BEDI Deputy Director, SMRU Director, SOI, LGBT+ advocate
    • Jens Tilsner (2021), Lecturer, BSRC, EDI data analyst
    • Christian Rutz (2021), Professor, CBD
    • Magnus Alphey (2021), Research fellow, BSRC, Health and Safety Officer
    • Alec Burslem (2021), PhD student rep, SOI
    • Chris Simmons-Riach (2021), Technical staff rep, BSRC
    • Fran Der Weduwen (2021), Associate lecturer, BSRC, Disabilities co-ordinator
    • Kathryn Herschell (2021), HR Equality and Diversity Awards Adviser
    • Thomas Green (2022), PhD student rep, CBD
    • Ines Ferreira (2022), PhD student rep, BSRC
    • May Norwood (2022), UG Disability rep
    • Kyra Strachan (2022), UG EDI rep
    • Kalyani Twyman (2023), PhD student rep, CBD, Biology Anti-Racism Committee President
    • Rebekah Bryson (2023), UG rep: Biology class president
    • Simon Northridge (2023), Professor, SOI, Head of School
    • Carmel McDougall (2024), Lecturer, SOI, Deputy BEDI Director
    • Claire Booth (2024), Biology Administrator
    • Jo Hobbs (2024), Lecturer, BSRC
    • Elizabeth Wignall-Fleming (2024), Post-doctoral rep, BSRC
    • Nikita Groot (2024), PhD student rep, SOI/CBD
    • Martin Cockcroft (2024), Technical Operations Manager
    • David Hughes (2024), Lecturer, BSRC, Widening Access Officer
    • Yansen Miharsa (2024), IT website/communications
    • George Sato (2024), PhD student, SOI

    • Christian Rutz (2021-2023), Professor, CBD
    • Miguel Barbosa (2019-2023), Associate lecturer, CBD
    • Oscar Gaggiotti (2021-2023), Professor, CBD
    • Popi Kalliopi (2021-2023), Post-doctoral rep, SOI
    • Helder Ferreira (2016-2023), Lecturer, BSRC
    • Andrew Blight (2019-2023), Research fellow/lab manager, SOI
    • Nathan Bailey (2022-2023), Reader, CBD (BEDI Director, 2023)
    • Frank Gunn-Moore (2019-2023), Professor, Head of School
    • Eleanor Gourevitch (2022-2023), PhD student rep, CBD
    • Ava True (2022-2023), UG rep: Biology class president
    • Jasmeen Kanwal (2021-2022), Research fellow, CBD
    • Michael Morrissey (2018-2022), Reader, CBD, BEDI data analyst
    • Ashley Pearson (2016-2022), Technician, BSRC
    • Sumit Bains (2021-2022), Administrative staff rep, Teaching office
    • Salma Ali (2020-2022), Anti-racism UG rep
    • Gui Bortolotto di Oliveira (2021-2022), Post-doctoral rep, SOI
    • Lynette MacDonald (2021-2022), Technical staff rep, SOI
    • Brynne Stewart (2020-2022), UG rep: Biology class president
    • Debbie Russell (2021-2022), Senior Research Fellow, SOI
    • Jess Haghkerdar (2021-2022), PhD student rep, CBD
    • Kim Morrison (2020-2022), PhD student rep, BSRC
    • Jacqueline Nairn (2016-2021), BSRC, Senior lecturer
    • Andy Cole (2014-2022), Secretary (BEDI secretary)
    • Yvonne McKie (2021), Administrative Staff Rep
    • Will Cresswell (2015-2021), CBD, Professor
    • Jurin Katayama (2020-2021), BAME Undergraduate rep
    • Dave Patterson (2019-2021), SOI, Professor
    • Mauricio Gonzalez Forero (2019-2021), CBD, postdoctoral rep
    • Jean Johnston (2016-2021), BSRC, secretary
    • Edith Invernizzi (2019-2021), CBD, PhD student rep
    • Reyes Sanles-Falagan (2019-2020), BSRC, postdoctoral rep
    • Theoni Photopoulou (2018-2020), SOI, postdoctoral rep
    • Monika Gostic (2019-2020), BSRC, research technician
    • Morganne Wilbourne (2019-2020), Undergraduate rep (Biology class president)
    • Januka Athukoralage (2019-2020), BSRC, PhD student rep
    • Catherine Sheard (2018-2019), CBD, postdoctoral rep
    • Janneke Ransijn (2018-2019), SOI, PhD student rep
    • Roisin Gendall (2018), Undergraduate rep (Biology class president)
    • Jessica Haghkerdar (2017-2019), CBD, PhD student rep
    • Clare Peddie (2017-2019), Professor, Head of School
    • Nathan Bailey (2017-2018), CBD, Reader
    • Sue Healy (2013-2018), CBD, Professor (Teaching Committee rep)
    • Phil Irving (2016-2018), SOI, SMRU science manager
    • Natalie Sinclair (2017-2018), SOI, PhD student rep, SOI
    • Erin Phillips (2017-2018) Undergraduate (Biology class president)
    • Remi Fritzen (2017-2018), BSRC, PhD student rep, BSRC
    • Kelly Robinson (2015-2018), SOI, Research fellow
    • Maria Dornelas (2014-2018), CBD, Reader (E&D officer)
    • Rene Swift (2016-2017), SOI, Research assistant
    • Chris McKnight (2015-2017), SOI, PhD student rep, SOI
    • Georgina Glaser (2016-2017), CBD, PhD student rep, CBD
    • Malcolm White (2014-2017), BSRC, Professor, Head of School
    • Rufus Sullivan (2016-2017), Undergraduate (Biology class president)
    • Pat Willmer (2016-2017), CBD, Professor
    • Nora Hanson (2015-2017), SOI, Research fellow
    • Stefanie Menzies (2015-2017), BSRC, PhD student rep, BSRC
    • Ann-Marie Paton (2016-2017), CBD, Secretary, Dyers Brae
    • Andy Gardner (2014-2017), CBD, Reader (PG recruitment committee rep)
    • Patrick Miller (2013-2016), SOI, Professor
    • Rona Ramsay (2013-2016), BSRC, Reader (E&D chair 2013-2016)
    • Sophie Smout (2013-2016), SOI, Lecturer
    • Nikki Cook (2014-2016), CBD, Research fellow
    • Keelin Murray (2013-2016), CBD, Research fellow
    • Ross Conron (2013-2014), BSRC, PhD student
    • Catherine Cross (2013-2014), CBD, Research fellow
    • Stephanie Reid (2013-2014), BSRC, Secretary
    • Emily Burdfield-Steel (2013-2014), CBD, PhD student
    • Garry Taylor (2013-2014), BSRC, Professor, Head of School
    • Chris Williams (2013-2014), BSRC, PhD student

    • To embed transparency and fairness in all School practices
    • To raise awareness of equality, diversity and inclusion issues across all protected characteristics1
    • To celebrate our successes, particularly for underrepresented groups
    • To encourage the acknowledgement that academia cannot reach its full potential unless it benefits from the talents of all
    • To identify concerns through biennial staff and student surveys and through BEDI officer’s annual review of data supplied by HR
    • To develop an Action Plan to improve equality and avoid bias
    • To share best practice with others to maximise the impact of the Athena SWAN Charter.
    • To continue the development, implementation and monitoring of Departmental Action Plans and submissions for Athena Swan Awards for good practice.

    1Protected Characteristics include: Age | Sex, including gender reassignment | Disability | Pregnancy and maternity | Race | Marriage and civil partnership | Sexual orientation | Religion and belief. The School of Biology aims to support any characteristic which may lead an individual to be disadvantaged, and operates on a principle of supporting all people in all things.

    1. Champion culture change, promoting awareness of equality, diversity and inclusivity issues in the day-to-day operation of the department.
    2. Inform management decisions and be willing to speak out about equality in a variety of settings.
    3. Ensure equality of representation internally and promote equality in Biology externally.
    4. Share and promote best practice within the department.
    5. Ensure that equality matters are raised regularly at departmental management meetings.
    6. Support and encourage engagement in the Athena SWAN* charter issues.
    7. Support and encourage engagement in other equality initiatives.
    8. Plan for, co-ordinate, and write the Athena SWAN renewal or application.
    9. Chair BEDI committee to balance constructive input, ideas, and discussion with need to drive and implement change (up to 10 meetings per year).
    10. Manage the BEDI budget.
    11. Manage action contributions for all sectors of the School: PhD, contract researchers, technical staff, etc.
    12. Represent the School of Biology at University level – a focus group of all Athena Swan reps for sharing good practice.
    13. Liaise with other STEM reps to share good practice and for University-wide change.
    14. As an option, engage in external service on national Athena Swan assessment panels.

  • The Athena SWAN Charter was updated in 2020 and is now based on eight key principles. By being part of Athena SWAN, institutions are committing to a progressive charter; adopting these principles within their policies, practices, action plans and culture. The Charter principles commit to:

    1. Adopting robust, transparent and accountable processes for gender equality work, including:
      1. embedding diversity, equity and inclusion in our culture, decision-making and partnerships, and holding ourselves and others in our institution/institute/department accountable
      2. undertaking evidence-based, transparent self-assessment processes to direct our priorities and interventions for gender equality, and evaluating our progress to inform our continuous development
      3. ensuring that gender equality work is distributed appropriately, is recognised and properly rewarded.
    2. Addressing structural inequalities and social injustices that manifest as differential experiences and outcomes for staff and students
    3. Tackling behaviours and cultures that detract from the safety and collegiality of our work and study environments for people of all genders, including not tolerating gender-based violence, discrimination, bullying, harassment or exploitation
    4. Understanding and addressing intersectional inequalities
    5. Fostering collective understanding that individuals have the right to determine their own gender identity, and tackling the specific issues faced by trans and non-binary people because of their identity
    6. Examining gendered occupational segregation, and elevating the status, voice and career opportunities of any identified under-valued and at-risk groups
    7. Mitigating the gendered impact of caring responsibilities and career breaks, and supporting flexibility and the maintenance of a healthy ‘whole life balance’
    8. Mitigating the gendered impact of short-term and casual contracts for staff seeking sustainable careers.

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