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Department of Zoology

 

We are committed to fostering equality and inclusion, valuing diversity and promoting wellbeing all built on a foundation of mutual respect in our community.

We fully and actively subscribe to both the University’s Equal Opportunities Policy, the University’s Dignity @ Work Policy, as well as promoting a wide range of diversity networks for women, black, Asian and minority ethnic, and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT+) staff and students.

We expect all members of our community to be actively involved in providing a stimulating, inclusive, respectful, and supportive environment to work and study in.

We have an enthusiastic and effective Equalities and Wellbeing Committee, chaired by Dr Lynn Dicks, with members drawn from all sections of the department, staff (academic, research, and professional services), and students (postgraduate and undergraduate).  Please contact us via admin@zoo.cam.ac.uk if you have any questions or comments.

Some things we have achieved:

This committee has worked hard to encourage the department to implement best practices in equality, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing.  This includes:

  • Actively promoted and encouraged current staff to undertake equality and diversity training throughout their time in the department.
  • Independent interviewer for all prospective postgraduate students to reduce the possibility of bias.
  • Increased the proportion of female applicants to academic positions from 39% in 2017 to ~50% in 2018-2019. Since 2016, 3 out of 4 academic appointments have been women.
  • Introduction and active promotion of Wellbeing Advocates in the Department.

We were pleased to achieve a silver Athena Swan award in 2016, following our bronze award in 2013.  Read our 2016 submission. We are currently revising our resubmission for the silver award, our action plan is available to download here.

Some issues we are currently working on:

  • Revising our mentoring schemes for all staff.        
  • Revising our information around how to seek help with harassment and bullying issues, to foster a safe and supportive working environment.
  • Sharing of expertise and inclusive teaching and learning practices by staff around issues of race, racism, and colonialism.
  • Engaging with research groups to discuss race awareness.