Oxford recognised for promoting women in science

University | Science 05 Aug 10 Oxford University's Zoology department has won a national award for its work promoting women in science, and the University overall was also recognised. The Athena SWAN Charter Awards awarded Zoology a silver SWAN award for its work and commitment to the advancement and promotion of the careers of women in science, engineering and technology (SET) in higher education and research. Oxford retained its bronze SWAN award overall in this year's round of honours. The awards will be presented in September at a ceremony at the Royal Society. Dr Felicity Cooke, Head of Equality and Diversity at Oxford, said: 'We are delighted to receive this award, which demonstrates Oxford's very real commitment to improving the recruitment and progression of women in the its science divisions. Through its Athena SWAN University Committee, Oxford is implementing an ambitious programme of work to support its Bronze status, and this will be hugely encouraged by the success in gaining the Athena award.' The Zoology department has recently seen a number of high-profile success stories from its female scientists. Dr Dora Biro has won one of this year's L'Oréal UK and Ireland Fellowships For Women in Science, which celebrate the achievement of exceptional female scientists in the UK and Ireland.