We are fully committed to providing a fair and equal environment for work and study.

As a School we are currently working towards achieving the Athena Swan Bronze Award. The University is currently working towards achieving the Athena Swan Silver Award.

Athena SWAN is an Equality Challenge Unit Charter dedicated to gender equality in higher education and research. When it was first launched in 2005 it focused on advancing the careers of women academics and researchers in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine. In 2015 the Charter was expanded to address gender equality more broadly, recognising work undertaken in additional subjects (Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business and Law), and in professional and support roles. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

The Pro-Vice Chancellor is a proactive member of the University's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and feedback from students and staff is increasingly sought on a range of issues as the Faculty has highly diverse populations and works hard to ensure a supportive and inclusive environment in which all can flourish.

 

More on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

 

We have a range of policies to facilitate a supportive working environment:

Our Student Support Service provides students and staff with support for a wide range of academic and health issues.

We have policies in place to support those with changing family circumstances:

  • Parental Leave
  • Maternity, Paternity and Adoption Leave

Find out more about Working at UEA

Our on-site nursery is available to all staff and students. We also have a family room fitted out for nursing mothers which is located in the Elizabeth Fry Building. To use the room, contact the Hub in the Elizabeth Fry Building on 01603 597578.

Employees who have worked at the University for 26 weeks or more, have a statutory right to request flexibility in their working pattern.

Following a period of ill health, we offer support for returning to work. This may include access to a phased return, short term amendments to duties or working hours, or adjustments to the physical environment.

There is tailored support for female research staff across the Norwich Research Park. 

Mentorship is available through the University Centre for Staff and Educational Development 

We provide support and mentoring for PhD students and Research Associates. This is delivered by research teams, The Personal and Professional Development Programme and the Staff Research Forum.

The committee was established in 2019 as a successor to the Athena Swan committee. One of its tasks is to work on the application for Athena Swan Bronze, as well as implementing the Athena Swan action plan following a successful application.

Furthermore, the committee is tasked with tackling issues arising in relation to equality and diversity, such as the decolonisation of the curriculum.

If you wish to bring a matter to the attention of the committee, please contact the Director of Equality and Diversity, Angelika Reichstein.

If you wish to anonymously raise an issue, you can do so at https://reportandsupport.uea.ac.uk/.