Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We're committed to providing an equal and fair working and learning environment.
Athena Swan awards
The School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sport Sciences achieved Athena Swan Bronze status in October 2015. The Faculty of Medical Sciences and Newcastle University both hold Athena Swan Silver status.
Newcastle University was recognised for its good employment practice and promotion of women in STEM subjects.
The Equality Challenge Unit manages the Athena SWAN Charter. The Unit is an advocate for equality and diversity for staff and students in higher education.
Read more about maternity and student leave and read about the University's support for student parents and mature students.
You can also view our Diversity Calendar to see the various festivals and occasions that staff and students are engaged with.
Our self assessment team
Our Equality and Fairness Self Assessment Team takes an inclusive approach. We consider all staff roles and undergraduate students.
The team develops good practice for Equality and Fairness in the School. It maintains and improves on our bronze level award.
The Athena Swan Self Assessment Team sits in the EDI groups within the School.
Since 2018, we have run two EDI groups. The Staff Facing Group concentrates on staff issues. The Student Facing Group concentrates on student issues.
Both groups include a core group of staff members.
- Dr Catherine Meplan: School EDI Lead
- Dr Damian Parry: Faculty EDI Lead
- Professor Emma Stevenson: Head of School
- Dr Vanessa Armstrong (Degree Programme Director Biomedical and Biomolecular Sciences)
- Dr Deb Dulson (Degree Programme Director Sport)
- Dr Susan Lennie (Degree Programme Director Nutrition/Dietetics)
- Dr Alison Howard: Senior Tutor
- Mrs Jill Elliottl: EDI Administrator
- Dr Chrissie Aldridge: Technical Manager
- Mrs Jill Elliott: Team Lead (Learning and Teaching)
- Dr Catherine Meplan (EDI School Lead)
- Dr Owen Jeffries: Sport and Exercise Science
- Dr Helen Mason: Nutrition and Dietetics
The EDI student reps contribute to promoting EDI values and initiatives within the BNS School, work in collaboration with the BNS EDI lead, support students from protected characteristics groups, and raise EDI issues.
Current SBNS EDI reps representing:
Parents, guardians and carers: Holly Taylor
Disability: Kate Jervis andAmelia Brown
Racial Equality: TBC
LGBTQ+: Aoife Lund, Kate Jervis
Marginalised Gender: Frankie Hadrill
Social equality: Nicole Kozlowska
Faith and Belief: TBC
Meetings
Both teams meet twice a year to monitor developments within the School, Faculty and University and to report on action plan progress.
EDI is a standing item on the agendas for the School’s weekly Teaching Meeting, Board of Studies, Students Staff Committee and other meetings.
Contact us
If you have any questions or suggestions or would like to get involved, contact Dr Catherine Meplan.