Description | The Athena Forum was established in 2007/8 and is an independent committee. The function of the Forum informs the wider debate on diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) through:
discussion and dissemination of examples of good practice in addressing the under-representation of women in academic STEMM; facilitation of exchanges between organisations and stakeholders with an interest in academic STEMM for the development, dissemination and implementation of good practice in STEMM employment in higher education and research; provision of an expert voice on issues of women in STEMM in higher education and research when appropriate; events, reports and other activities that advance the understanding of the role women in academic STEMM. Athena Forum members are nominated by the UK’s leading scientific professional and learned societies and are individual experts with experience on the issues of women's career progression and their representation in STEMM.
The background to the Athena Forum is the Athena Project. This was a national Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) diversity project, which ran from 1999 to 2007. Its aim was to 'Advance and promote the careers of women in science, engineering and technology in higher education and research and to achieve a significant increase in the number of women recruited to top posts in the UK'.
The Forum is composed of representatives from the Academy of Medical Sciences, BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Physics, London Mathematical Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society and the Royal Society of Biology. The Athena Forum is supported by the Royal Society, which provides secretariat.
Minutes held: 23 Feb 2015 12 Oct 2015 22 Feb 2016 10 May 2016
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