Two of the four categories in the Maths, Physical and Life Sciences Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Awards 2024 were won by members of the Department of Physics while another colleague was one of four to be ‘commended’ in the awards.
The MPLS ED&I Awards highlight the exceptional work being done across the division and serve to raise awareness of impactful and innovative initiatives that support ED&I in all its forms, including disability, LGBTQ+, race/ethnicity, gender, mental health, and wellbeing.
Research Facilitators Charlie Garner and Nicole Malloy won the Best Team Effort category for their work to embed principles of equality, diversity and inclusion into the Department of Physics’ internal processes for supporting fellowship applications and internal selections. Their work has included adding an EDI awareness session to the department’s annual fellowships training events and clearly and systematically communicating the department’s commitment to ED&I not only on the research facilitation pages on the departmental website but also across all fellowship application communication.
Dr Jake Taylor won the Outstanding ED&I Staff Champion category in recognition of his work establishing a support network for LGBT+ colleagues in the Department of Physics and beyond. He created a Slack channel for communication and mutual support within the group, organises termly coffee-and-cake get-togethers which are open to the whole department, organises activities for LGBT+ in STEM Day, and applied for funding to establish and then deliver an annual LGBT+ public lecture. Jake also organised for the Network to march in Oxford Pride, and held events during LGBT+ history month.
Research Facilitator Jenny Woods was commended in the Best Initiative category for her work in establishing the Oxford Physics Mentorship Scheme. The scheme was created to address some of the concerning results and provide support for postdocs, ranging from career progression to managing the personal and professional difficulties of this high-risk career path and has been driven and led by Jenny. The scheme now has 46 mentors and Jenny has shared her experiences with a number of other departments.
‘It is absolutely fantastic to see individuals in Physics win two of the four categories and be commended in another,’ comments Professor Sonia Contera, Associate Head for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at the Department of Physics. ‘As a department, it is a priority to provide a welcome space where everybody has the chance to thrive. This can only be achieved in reality thanks to people like Nicole, Charlie, Jake and Jenny; they have demonstrated drive, commitment and expertise in embedding principles and infrastructure throughout the department. I am incredibly proud of what they have achieved and of the benefits to the department as a whole.’