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Institute of Astronomy

 
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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 (Co-Chair, EDI Committee)

Simon Hodgkin (Co-Chair, EDI Committee)

Ashley Worman (Secretary of the EDI Committee)

Project Juno

In 2017, we achieved Juno Practitioner status, demonstrating our commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive workplace. Project Juno aims to recognise and support physics departments and organisations working to improve gender equality and create better practices for all staff. This status was successfully renewed in 2023.

To build on this, we created action plans and set up Focus Groups to drive improvements and ensure progress.

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

  • Bullying & Harassment FG

  • 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

  • Women’s FG 

  • NEW! Neurodiversity FG

  • NEW! Endometriosis Champions

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, 26th February 2025 – 11:30 – 12:30
  • Wednesday, 14th May 2025 – 11:30 – 12:30
  • Wednesday, 25th June 2025 – 11:30 – 12:30
  • Wednesday, 24th September 2025 - 11:30 – 12:30
  • Wednesday, 26th November 2025 - 11:30 – 12:30

EDI Annual Seminar @HLT

Join Us!

Please contact Co-Chairs - Amy Bonsor and Simon Hodgkin 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