Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity

The Rowett Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity team (EDIT)

The Rowett Institute is fully dedicated to the Athena SWAN Charter: Recognising advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success for all.

The Rowett Institute has around 110 staff with roles in research, teaching, technical and administrative support and 20-30 postgraduate students. Our work is focussed on research in nutrition and related areas of human health. The work is funded by the Scottish Government, UK Research Councils, Industry and charities.

The Rowett continually assesses gender balance in all areas and plans specific actions to ensure gender balance in recruiting, retaining, and promoting women.

We are committed to raising awareness of neurodivergence and creating a wider culture of inclusivity. Read our neurodivergence terminology guide.

The work of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity team aims to address gender equality and ethnic diversity across all our roles.

Resources for Early Career Researchers

Job Applications - hints and tips: If you're applying for a post-doc/PhD position, read this helpful guide on writing your CV and preparing for interview.
Resources for ECR Principal Investigators: Career Development

The University's Research Development group provides professional development opportunities to academic and research staff, including grant-writing support, strategic career planning, business engagement and entrepreneurship, academic leadership skills, and communication of research. Many of these resources are useful to early career PIs including information on who to contact for grant applications, public engagement, developing research impact, and teaching skills. More information including contact details can be found here .

Further information on career development can be found under the Staff Resources section.

Grant Opportunities

Information and support for grants applications can be found on the Grants Academy webpages . You can find information particularly relevant to ECR PIs on available grants and support on how to apply for grants including courses such as the UKRI Bootcamp. Further information on the grant application process can be found on the Research and Knowledge Exchange webpages or by contacting a member of the Research and Knowledge Exchange Team.

Mentoring Scheme

The University provides an opportunity for staff to have a mentor to support their career and professional development. The Rowett Institute has a mentoring advisor, Alex Johnstone , can provide more details on the mentoring structure. Further information on the mentoring program can also be found on the staff development page or by contacting Alex directly.
Grant and Fellowship Opportunities: The University has a traffic light system in place to support ECR Fellowship applications. This process supports ECRs in applying for fellowships by ensuring they have the correct support for project planning and development. Further information on the support of fellowship applications can be found on the Research and Knowledge Exchange webpages or by contacting a member of the Research and Knowledge Exchange Team. It is advised that, as an initial step, you discuss your idea and intention to apply for a fellowship with your PI who will advise on the process.

Further information on available research grants and grant applications support can be found on the Funding Opportunities page.
Postdoctoral Support: The IMS has an ECR networking group , called NVision, that organises social and networking events aimed at postdocs based in the Institute of Medical Sciences. This group is open for ECRs across the whole school to join. This group organises various talks and seminars on a wide range of subjects from career development to grant writing. Contact details for the NVision committee can be found here .

The University provides an opportunity for staff to have a mentor to support their career and professional development. The Rowett Institute has a mentoring advisor, Alex Johnstone , can provide more details on the mentoring structure. Further information on the mentoring program can also be found on the staff development page or by contacting Alex directly.

Further information of support for staff can be found in the EDT staff resources.
Postdoctoral Career Development: The University's Research Development group provides professional development opportunities to academic and research staff, including grant-writing support, strategic career planning, business engagement and entrepreneurship, academic leadership skills, and communication of research. They run a R&I Postdoctoral Professional Development Programme which includes several courses specifically aimed a postdoctoral researchers. More information including contact details can be found here.

Researcher Development also have a Postdoctoral Research Committee which has been established to support the alignment professional and career development provision with the Researcher Development Concordat, and to oversee the planning and implementation of the University's HR Excellence in Research Award strategy.

There are several University resources and staff training courses that are available to all postdoctoral ECRs. These include courses on skills development and career progression. The University webpages on staff development and professional development explain these in more detail. You can find details of current courses and book a place on the course booking system.
Student Union (AUSA): Postgraduate students are encouraged to engage with the Aberdeen University Student Association (AUSA) who represent the student body in Senate and across the University. AUSA provides support and advice for all students including support for academic and non-academic issues.

PGRs have representation with Aberdeen University Students' Association. Your rep can be contacted by emailing pgrs-ausarep@abdn.ac.uk.

Students are also welcome to join any of the Trade Unions that represent the interests of staff at the University. Further information on Trade Unions can be found here .
PhD Monitoring and Assessment: Further information on postgraduate monitoring and assessment for research students can be found on the PGR School pages . All PGR students will be allocated an advisor, who is independent of their immediate supervisory team. If you have any concerns about your progress, then you can talk to your advisor or immediate supervisory team.

PGRs are always welcome to contact the PGR School engagement team on pgrs-engagement@abdn.ac.uk to discuss any concerns and queries they may have about their studies.
Student Support: The University provides a range of services to support you during your time at Aberdeen. This includes student support advisers, disability advisers, mental health support, international student advisers, as well as the chaplaincy and counselling service. You can find out more information about the teams on the student advice & support pages, you should also explore the student support and wellbeing pages.

There are several student representatives that represent the interest of PGR students across the University. The SMMSN has two student representatives that sit on the PGR Committee for the PGR School.
PGR Student Career Development: For PGR students, the University Careers Service provides an excellent service offering advice, mentoring, and courses for student career development and employment options. The careers service has school-specific specialised career advisors who can advise postgraduate research students on career options.

There are several University resources and staff training courses that are available to all PGR students. These include courses on skills development and career progression. The University webpages on staff development and professional development explain these in more detail. You can find details of current courses and book a place on the course booking system.

The University recognises the importance of early career researchers (ECR) career development and is a result has become a signatory to the Researcher Development Concordat. This pledge outlines the University's commitment to ECR career development by creating an inclusive and diverse research culture. The Concordat is based on the Researcher Development Framework which outlines skills development for academic career progression.
PhD survey 2021: The Rowett Institute Athena Swan 2021

There were 12 respondents answering questions about Athena Swan at the institute, workload and the impacts of COVID-19 on work.

The summary can be accessesd here

The results are completely anonymous and can be accessed here
Parents and Carers Network: A parents and carers network has been established as a resource fo staff or students who work at the University of Aberdeen. Monthly face to face meetings take place. Further information on the group can be found on the group's facebook page or by emailing parents.network@abdn.ac.uk

Below is a link to a useful pdf with questions on aspects of employment affecting parents and carers with answers to these questions from HR.

Visit the Facebook page >>

Resources for staff

Staff Health and Wellbeing: The University are committed to supporting healthy working lives and staff. Further information can be found here: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/staffnet/working-here/wellbeing-portal/index.php
Resources for ECR Principal Investigators: Career Development

The University's Research Development group provides professional development opportunities to academic and research staff, including grant-writing support, strategic career planning, business engagement and entrepreneurship, academic leadership skills, and communication of research. Many of these resources are useful to early career PIs including information on who to contact for grant applications, public engagement, developing research impact, and teaching skills. More information including contact details can be found here .

Further information on career development can be found under the Staff Resources section.

Grant Opportunities

Information and support for grants applications can be found on the Grants Academy webpages . You can find information particularly relevant to ECR PIs on available grants and support on how to apply for grants including courses such as the UKRI Bootcamp. Further information on the grant application process can be found on the Research and Knowledge Exchange webpages or by contacting a member of the Research and Knowledge Exchange Team.

Mentoring Scheme

The University provides an opportunity for staff to have a mentor to support their career and professional development. The Rowett Institute has a mentoring advisor, Alex Johnstone , can provide more details on the mentoring structure. Further information on the mentoring program can also be found on the staff development page or by contacting Alex directly.
Induction Resources: Welcome to the Rowett! You will have initiated or perhaps completed the induction process at entry to your new position or studentship at the Rowett. However, we thought it might be useful to have the information you have received available on this page so you can refer back again if something is not clear or you missed something. The resources available here have been designed in mind to support the formal induction process initiated by our Quality Assurance manager Mr Gary Cooper.

This resource will be added to and updated as presentations are available. However, do not hesitate to ask Gary Cooper or people responsible for a given section of the induction, if you have questions or want further information.

Rowett analytical facility induction pdf

Health & Safety student presentation

Athena Swan equality and diversity presentation >>

Mentor Scheme Overview >>

Biological safety induction >>

Quality Assurance induction presentation >>
University Staff Development: The University of a range of courses and workshops to aid staff development. This includes leadership, management, project management, coaching and if not met by courses on offer, bespoke support to meet a particular need.

Further information can be found here.
Staff Survey 2021: The Rowett Institute Athena Swan 2021 survey

There were 62 respondents answering questions about Athena Swan at the institute, workload and the impacts of COVID-19 on work.

The summary can be accessessed here

The results are completely anonymous and can be accessed here
University Family Leave Policies and Guides: A useful guidebook detailing types of leave and entitlement for parents-to-be, parents with newborn children or staff adopting children and the support available has been produced by the University.

The link can be found here.
Homeworking: Homeworking

The University has now put in place a Home Working Policy. The Homeworking Policy sets out provision for different types of homeworking arrangements which includes occasional, regular or a permanent arrangement. It is not designed for one-off arrangements (which would continue to require discussion and approval from your line manager). The policy is applicable to all contract types in the university except temporary service contracts. The Homeworking Policy is available online with detailed information including guidance and a request form.
Parents and Carers Network: A parents and carers network has been established as a resource for staff or students who work at the University of Aberdeen. Monthly face to face meetings take place. Further information on the group can be found on the group's facebook page or by emailing parents.network@abdn.ac.uk

Visit the Facebook page >>
Recruitment and avoiding unconscious bias: Staff are reminded that to be eligible to be involved in a recruitment selection process, which includes shortlisting and membership of a selection panel, staff are required to undertake a mandatory recruitment and selection course. Enrolment for this course is made via HR (HRRecruitment@abdn.ac.uk ). Furthermore, all staff are required to have attended an unconscious bias seminar within the previous 24 months. We would recommend giving yourself a reminder of unconscious bias. There are number of good YouTube videos that are very useful to view before undertaking a recruitment selection process.

Recruitment Bias in Research Institutes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g978T58gELo

Understanding unconscious bias https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVp9Z5k0dEE

4 steps for busting unconscious bias https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-n7el87Dmo

Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity team meetings

Composition of the Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity Team

Team Members:

Co-leads: Prof Karen Scott and Dr Silvia Gratz

Maria Cascio (University Athena SWAN co-ordinator)

Professor Alex Johnstone (Mentor co-ordinator)

Karen Taylor (Family Support Advisor)

Dr Alasdair Leeson-Payne (Social and culture convenor)

Fiona Macaskill and Grant Rae (Human Resources)

Professor Jules Griffin (Director)

Professor Justin Rochford

Dr Sandy Ross

Dr Nick Hayward

Karen Hislop

Dr Antonio Gonzalez Sanchez

Gary Cooper

Susan Anderson

Joe Churcher

Claire Hammerton (Secretariat)

New members are always welcome! To volunteer, or for more information contact Karen Scott or Silvia Gratz.

Mentoring and family support

Karen Taylor (Karen.Taylor@abdn.ac.uk ) (left) is our Family Support Advisor.

Alex Johnstone (Alex.Johnstone@abdn.ac.uk (right) is the Mentoring Advisor for the Rowett, and she can provide help and advice for anyone looking for a mentor or looking to become a mentor.

Further information on the University's Family Friendly Policies

Further Athena Swan documentation