Athena SWAN
Analysis of Biology Dept Research grants data, by gender.
Data have been collated by Jane McCarthy, since 2008, and analysed over the past 5 yrs (2009-2013; time period required for AS Gold applications).
1. Research Grants
Over the past 5 years (2009-2013), the total number of grants applied for overall has fluctuated slightly, but the proportion submitted by female academic staff was 30% on average, with no trend over time. The success rate of women (28%) is similar to men (32.6%), although it was very low in 2013 (14% success for women compared with 30% success for men). There was some evidence that women applied for less funding than men, particularly in 2010 and 2011. Men were awarded £308k on average, and women £221kon average over the past 5 years.
2. Departmental pump priming
Over the past 5 years, 33 men and 14 women have applied for these funds, a slight higher proportion of women (42%) than the departmental gender ratio (~30%). Men and women had similarly high success rates (88% men, 93% women).
3. Departmental bridging funds.
Over the past 5 years, funds were requested for 3 male and 3 female PDRAs, of which 3 males and 2 females were awarded funds. Numbers are low but over the past 5 years only 1 female staff has applied for bridging funds for their PDRA, compared with 5 male staff.
4. Departmental summer students
Over the past 5 years, a total of 11 male and 18 female PDRAs applied under this scheme. Males (55% success rate) were more successful than females (39%), but numbers are low and skewed by an unusually large number of female PDRAs applying in 2012/13.
AS group Actions:
- Monitor grant success rates of female staff.
- Continue to monitor PDRA success rates for summer students.
Jane Hill 13 Feb 2015