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About the College and Engineering Physical Sciences

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The College of Engineering and Physical Sciences is one of the largest groupings in Europe, bringing together physical sciences and engineering into one coherent college. The College is home to seven academic schools affording students, staff and alumni access to learning and career development opportunities which few educational institutions can match.

Key people

Head of College

Professor Karl Dearn


Key people

 

Facilities

Our researchers have access to world-leading facilities which are equipped with the latest cutting-edge research instrumentation and managed by highly trained technical staff.Follow the links below to find out more information about the facilities and services available.

Athena Swan

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Athena SWAN Charter


The Athena SWAN Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research. Established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment, the Charter is now being used across the globe to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

 

Engineering and Physical Sciences Athena Swan awards

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, have all achieved Bronze Athena SWAN Charter awards.

The awards recognise the commitment made by those Schools to improving the recruitment, retention and progression of female academics in STEMM.

Physics and Astronomy has achieved the Institute of Physics Juno Practitioner Status. This award recognises that the School has taken action to address the under-representation of women in university physics and to encourage better practice for both women and men.

 

Athena SWAN Charter principles

  • We acknowledge that academia cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of all.
  • We commit to advancing gender equality in academia, in particular, addressing the loss of women across the career pipeline and the absence of women from senior academic, professional and support roles.
  • We commit to addressing unequal gender representation across academic disciplines and professional and support functions. In this we recognise disciplinary differences including:
    • the relative underrepresentation of women in senior roles in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL)
    • the particularly high loss rate of women in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM)
  • We commit to tackling the gender pay gap.
  • We commit to removing the obstacles faced by women, in particular, at major points of career development and progression including the transition from PhD into a sustainable academic career.
  • We commit to addressing the negative consequences of using short-term contracts for the retention and progression of staff in academia, particularly women.
  • We commit to tackling the discriminatory treatment often experienced by trans people.
  • We acknowledge that advancing gender equality demands commitment and action from all levels of the organisation and in particular active leadership from those in senior roles.
  • We commit to making and mainstreaming sustainable structural and cultural changes to advance gender equality, recognising that initiatives and actions that support individuals alone will not sufficiently advance equality.
  • All individuals have identities shaped by several different factors. We commit to considering the intersection of gender and other factors wherever possible

 

Athena contacts

Partners

Many of our areas of research excellence are undertaken in partnership with leading industrial partners.

Opportunities for students

Inspired by successful models at Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), our Engineering and Science Leadership Academy has been tailored to the UK's unique industrial landscape and talent needs. Our Academy equips ambitious and motivated engineering and physical science students with leadership capabilities, an entrepreneurial mindset, and real-world experience.

  • Engineering and Science Leadership Academy

    University of Birmingham, in partnership with the ERA Foundation, has created the Engineering and Science Leadership Academy: a pioneering programme designed to create engineering-trained leaders.

Engineering and Physical Sciences Outreach and Schools Activities

Our academic schools have programmes of activities specific to their subject which run alongside our annual College of Engineering and Physical Sciences events for secondary school students on campus. 

  • Outreach and school activities

    Our academics engage in university-wide activities designed to inspire and enthuse young people in STEM subjects, to generate enthusiasm about science, and inform them about their university choices.