Warwick Medical School has received two commendations at the university’s inaugural Excellence in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Awards.

Earlier this year, the University of Warwick’s Institutional Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team and the Gender Task Force launched a new award to recognise individuals or teams who have contributed to the enhancement of ED&I at Warwick. This could be by delivering a specific project, initiative, or by actively demonstrating a commitment to building more inclusive environments and experiences through everyday behaviours. The judging panel was chaired by the university's provost and the awards were presented at a ceremony on 3 November.

We were delighted that our student-led MB ChB (Medicine) Athena SWAN sub-group received a commendation for its efforts to provide a student voice on ED&I issues across the school. Initiatives led by fourth year student Charlotte Simms have included setting up peer support networks, providing rainbow badges and organising beacon internships. The judges said: “the level of student engagement and leadership is impressive and [there have been] some really positive developments. It says much about the strength of the school wide commitment [to EDI]”

And there was more success to celebrate as the School’s Menopause and Women’s Health Group was highly commended. Led by Dr Sarah Hillman, Rosemary Cragg, and Marsha Hughes, the group has been working on various initiatives, including providing free sanitary products in toilets at Gibbet Hill campus, holding a fortnightly virtual menopause café for people to discuss their experiences and developing menopause training for line managers.

The judges said: “This was a great idea – a grass-roots initiative that was taken forward across the School. [There have been] very clear and concrete outcomes and it brings together different groups. [This] is an area that has been neglected and sometimes that can be more difficult to challenge and change.”

At Warwick Medical School we’re extremely proud of our diverse community and are holders of an Athena SWAN Silver Award, confirming out commitment to ensuring equality of opportunity for all. You can find out more about our EDI work here.