The Department of Physics led the ‘Outstanding ED&I Champion – Staff’ category in the Mathematical, Physical and Life Sciences divisional Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Awards 2025. Professor Sonia Antoranz Contera was the category winner while Dr Jon Bath was commended.
Professor Sonia Antoranz Contera
Professor Sonia Antoranz Contera has been the Department of Physics’ inaugural Associate Head for EDI since 2020. She is a relentless ambassador for EDI within the department, the University and beyond, and has dedicated vast amounts of time and energy to this role. Over the last few years, with Sonia’s oversight and support, EDI activities (and those related to positive culture) in the department have expanded significantly, including: creation/expansion of various networks and groups - OPGEN (Oxford Physics Gender Equality Network); the LGBTQ+ Network; the Challenges and Changes Reading Group; the Race Equality Task Force; and the launch of Physics Thrive (a group of volunteers across career stages and functions who offer informal mentoring and support), since superseded by the Departmental Mentoring Scheme. Sonia also chairs the Postdoc Liaison Committee which ensures that postdocs have a collective voice in the department. By its very nature, much of this work goes on behind the scenes without fanfare.
Sonia is a steadfast supporter of those who have been victims of bullying and harassment, including sexual harassment, and has championed the training and presence of Harassment Advisors in the department. The most notable single contribution, however, was her successful leadership of the department’s Athena Swan gold award application (awarded November 2024), which would not have been possible without her dedicated leadership and significant personal involvement. This award is particularly important as we are the first UK physics department and the first department in Oxford’s MPLS Division to achieve this status setting a precedent for others to follow.
Dr Jon Bath
Dr Jon Bath has been recognised for his role as an MPLS Mental Health First Aider; he has been an active and valued member of this community since it first launched in 2021. Recently, there have been several instances where Jonathan has stepped into to provide Mental Health support to individuals needing assistance immediately, answering the requests for help from different departments with wonderful generosity of time and emotional capacity. Jonathan contributes thoughtfully and supportively to mental health support in the MPLS community on an individual, departmental and divisional scale.
‘I am particularly proud of both Sonia and Jon,’ comments Professor Andrew Boothroyd, Head of Department. ‘Thanks to their tireless work, our department is a better place for all of us who work here. They are excellent role models across the department and the wider division and University. I would like to congratulate both of them on this recognition and also take this opportunity to thank them for all that they have done and continue to do.’