University gender equality programme wins top award

A ground-breaking programme run by the University of Sheffield, designed to help female academics when returning to work after maternity or carers´ leave, has won a prestigious national award.

The Women Academic Returners´ Programme (WARP) won the Education Sector prize at the Opportunity Now 2007 awards, which recognise excellence in promoting gender equality and diversity in the workplace.

Representatives from the University collected the prize at the Opportunity Now awards dinner on 24 April 2007 in London.

The WARP initiative was launched in 2006 and provides academic departments with funding to meet the costs of additional staffing to support female academics in maintaining their research activity during or after their maternity or carer´s leave. In the first 14 months of the programme, 34 women from across all academics disciplines have successfully applied for the funding, which has helped minimise the impact their absence has had on their long-term career development. These same women have generated a grant income of £2.5 million.

Professor Tony Crook, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Internal Affairs at the University, said: "We are delighted to have won this prestigious award, which recognises our commitment to supporting the research momentum and career progression of women alongside their family responsibilities."

Rosie Valerio, Director of Human Resources at the University, said: "The University of Sheffield is committed to recruiting and retaining high calibre female staff. This initiative is part of our ongoing action to address gender equality issues which are faced by female academic colleagues."

Norma Jarboe, Director of Opportunity Now, said: "Great minds think differently. To thrive and be successful, businesses need diversity. Identikit people with identikit views and experiences do not add value or aid creativity and innovation. The University of Sheffield´s WARP initiative is an excellent example of an employer creating a diverse workplace where women can achieve their full potential. If more employers followed the lead of the University of Sheffield, and the other award winners, their businesses, their staff, and the UK economy, could benefit immensely."

For more information on the Women Academic Returners' Programme and the Opportunity Now Awards please use the links on the right.