Award for support of women scientists

BOFFINS at the University of York are celebrating after being handed a gold standard for their support of women scientists.

In the week that the BA Festival of Science has come to the city, the chemistry department at the university has become the first in the UK to win the Athena Swan gold award for its commitment to women in science.

The department has won the national accolade - funded jointly by the UK Resource Centre for Women in Science, Engineering and Technology (UKRC) and Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) - in recognition of its success in providing support to women to rise to senior levels, enabling the university to make greater use of their talents.