Equality champions announced

Professors Anne Davis (left) and Judith Lieu (right) have been appointed gender equality champions for the University.

Professor Lieu will cover gender activities for the Arts and Humanities and Social Sciences. Professor Davis will have responsibility for STEMM subjects.

They succeed the University’s former gender equality champion, Professor Dame Athene Donald, who became Master of Churchill in October.

Professor Davis says that while improvements have been made in gender equality within the University, there is still a long way to go. “There are still assumptions and attitudes and not enough women represented at all levels within the University. You cannot call yourself a top university if you only utilise the talents of a proportion of the country defined by gender,” says Davis.

Professor Lieu adds: “This is not just an issue for women – it is an issue for the University, not just because of equality legislation, but because fostering the best talent is paramount.”

Both professors say the "leaky pipe", which sees so many women leave academia as their careers develop while their male counterparts remain, must be addressed.

New equality champions have also been announced this month for schools and institutions. The roles were created in 2009 “to demonstrate senior leadership and support for equality and diversity matters and initiatives”.