The Institute of Astronomy is committed to equality of opportunity and to a proactive and inclusive approach to equality, which supports and encourages all under-represented groups, promotes an inclusive culture, and values diversity.
IoA's Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Committee
Members of our large Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) Committee represent all groups and include colleagues at all career stages: undergraduate, postgraduate student, postdoctoral research associate, public astronomer, academic faculty and administrators. Many committee members experience dual career family life including caring responsibility for elderly parents.
Amy Bonsor (Chair, EDI Committee)
Helen Snook (Secretary of the EDI Committee)
New! School of Physical Sciences Achieves Silver Athena Swan Award (September'26)
We are delighted to share that the School of Physical Sciences has successfully achieved a Silver Athena Swan Award, recognising its sustained commitment to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion across the School.
The Institute of Astronomy (IoA) made a significant contribution to the application, with colleagues providing evidence, sharing examples of good practice, and supporting initiatives that helped strengthen the submission. This achievement reflects the dedication and hard work of staff and students across the School, as well as the collective efforts of our community over many years.
We would like to thank everyone who has contributed through EDI initiatives, committee work, events, advocacy, and the everyday actions that help foster a positive and inclusive culture. This award is an important recognition of those efforts and a milestone that we can all celebrate together.
Congratulations to everyone involved in making this achievement possible.
EDI Focus Groups
-
Work-Life Balance FG: We are focusing on improving the work-life balance of every member of the Institute of Astronomy. Over the last year, this has involved increasing the social cohesion between postdoctoral research and PhD students, organising a lunch meetup for postdocs, as well as organising EDI seminars for the whole department. We currently do not have representation from academic staff or professional service staff and would welcome their input.
-
Inclusion & Fairness FG: This working group focuses on making the IoA a more inclusive place through things like celebrating the cultural diversity of our members, and a fairer place by flagging issues that affect the equity of staff and students. As an example, we organise multiple cultural themed teas throughout the year to highlight special dates for members in our community including, Diwali and Spring Equinox. We are also currently in the process of identifying accessibility concerns for IoA members and visitors and would value input from the entire community to help us identify and address these concerns.
-
Bullying & Harassment FG: This group is committed to creating a safe and respectful environment for everyone at the IoA. We work to raise awareness about bullying and harassment, provide clear guidance on reporting procedures, and ensure that support systems are accessible to all members.
-
Admissions & Recruitment FG: Our primary objective is to ensure that admissions and recruitment practices throughout the Institute encourage all sectors of society to apply for opportunities. We monitor admissions and recruitment data to identify areas for improvement in terms of ensuring equality and diversity and propose strategies to address these areas.
-
LGBTQ+ FG: This is an informal network to support members of the LGBTQ+ community across the IoA and beyond. We aim to have casual coffee meet-ups about once per month and organise special events throughout the year. As an example, we hosted the first ever celebration of LGBTQ+ in STEM day at the IoA in November 2024, which included a pub style game of trivia to raise awareness of LGBTQ+ STEM icons. Please keep an eye on your emails if you would like to join for the next coffee-meet up!
-
Women’s FG: Our primary objective is to foster an inclusive and supportive environment for women in the field. We organise regular women’s coffee hours to provide a space for informal discussions and networking. Additionally, we celebrate International Women’s Day by organising a range of events, including school outreach, public outreach, and a departmental event, accompanied by a social media campaign to raise awareness and promote equality. Through these activities, we aim to inspire and empower women in science while promoting diversity within the Institute.
-
Neurodiversity FG: The neurodiversity focus group celebrates and empowers minds of all kinds. We are passionate about raising positive awareness, and dedicated to providing essential education and practical tools that can make a real difference in our workplace. Whether you are neurodiverse, neurotypical, or simply curious, this group is open to all. Please reach out to edi@ast.cam.ac.uk to join us and help make an impact!
-
Endometriosis Champions: The Endometriosis Champions initiative aims to increase awareness and understanding of endometriosis within the IoA community. We advocate for better support for those affected by this condition, including promoting flexible working arrangements and sharing resources to help manage symptoms.
IoA Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Useful Links
*The following section is intended for internal staff members only:
EDI Committee Meeting Dates @ Ryle Meeting Room - Kavli Building
- Wednesday, 25 November 2026 - 11:30 – 12:30 *This meeting takes place in the Hoyle Committee Room (HCR)
- Wednesday,10 February 2027 - 11:30 – 12:30
- Wednesday,12 May 2027 - 11:30 – 12:30
- Wednesday, 23 June 2027 - 11:30 – 12:30
- Wednesday, 22 September 2027 - 11:30 – 12:30
- Wednesday, 17 November 2027 - 11:30 – 12:30
EDI Annual Seminar @HLT
- 2026: 18 November 2026 at 13:15 - 14:00
- 2025: Slides and Recording of the EDI Annual Seminar
- 2024: Slides and Recording of the EDI Annual Seminar
Join Us!
Please contact Co-Chair - Amy Bonsor or edi@cam.ac.uk if you would like to join the Committee.
Any member of the Department is welcome to join the Committee and/or its Focus Groups.
IoA EDI, Wellbeing and Culture Survey and Review Summaries