Institute of Physics Press Release

Institute of Physics press releasePR16(13)

Embargo: 00.01am, Friday 8 March 2013

Champions extol the virtues of Juno

On this International Women’s Day, Friday 8 March 2013, leading physicists from Imperial College London, the Universities of Warwick, Cambridge, Glasgow,Royal Holloway University of London and the University of York are encouraging their colleagues in physics departments across the country to do more to reduce the gender disparity in physics.

In a new video launched today, the six departments – all of whom have been awarded Institute of Physics’ (IOP) Juno Champion status for efforts to overcome barriers to women in the subject – explain how their involvement in Project Junohas led to better working environments for all staff, regardless of gender.

In October last year, the IOP published research which shows that 49% of all co-ed maintained schools in England did not send even one girl on to do physics A-level in 2011, reflecting a sad cultural malaise in UK education which is, unjustifiably, leaving many girls behind.

The percentages are even starker further along the academic career path with 19% of physics Researchers being female, 15% of our physics Lecturers and only 5.5% of our physics Professors.

On IOP’s effort to overcome the shortage of women in the subject, Professor Peter Main, director of education and science at IOP, explains, “Juno is a code of practice that’s based on five principles and we’ve encouraged universities to embody these principles and to demonstrate not only that they agree with them but also that they are putting them into practice. When [the departments] can demonstrate that real change has happened, particularly a real change in culture, they can aspire to Juno Champion status.”

Dr Lyndsay Fletcher from the University of Glasgow says, “I think the fact that Glasgow is a Juno Champion sends the message that we are working constantly to improve and there have been a couple of really concrete things that have come out of Project Juno.

“The first thing is our PhD Student Forum and through it certain processes and PhD student assessment have changed for the better. Also, some of the organisational structures of the department have been clarified in a way that weren’t clear before. It’s not just about women in physics; it’s about making a happy department that functions well.”

Professor Joanna Haigh from Imperial College London, the first female Head of Physicsin the department’s 150 year history,explains what Project Juno has led to in her department, “We try to make sure that there are flexible working arrangements, provision for childcare and good working practices and now, because we’ve got many more people talking to each other, we have a better environment than we did before.”

Professor Robin C Ball, Head of Physics at the University of Warwick, on taking on the challenges that Juno poses, explains, “We’ve moved on from seeking to run a clean ship to setting ourselves targets which we don’t know how to achieve. That forces us to think the unthinkable and be true champions in making a difference to how things work.”

In a call to see greater involvement from a wider range of departments across the country, Professor Main concludes the short film, “It will be better for the women, it will be better for the men and it will be better for the students. Join in with Juno.”

Watch the film here.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

1. Contact

For further information, pleasecontact IOP’sHead of Media,Joe Winters

Tel:020 74704815

Mob:07946 321473

E-mail:

2. Project Juno

The Institute of Physics (IOP)’s Code of Practice was developed in response to a recommendation of the International Perceptions of UK Research in Physics and Astronomy report that a special focus to attract and retain women in physics is needed. The Code is based on best practice identified from IOP’s Women in University Physics Departments: a Site Visit Scheme, which ran from 2003 to 2005. It sets out practical ideas for actions that departments can take to address the under-representation of women in university physics and emphasises the need for dialogue, transparency and openness.

There are three levels of engagement with the Code. As a Supporter, physics departments endorse the five principles set out in the Code of Practice. Practitioner status requires the department to demonstrate that its Juno journey is well underway and an initial evidence-based action plan demonstrating how the department aims to achieve Champion status is created. As a Champion, physics departments are confirmed to have met the five principles set out. There are now six Champion departments, nine Practitioners and 20 Supporters in the UK and Ireland.

For further information, go to

3. The Institute of Physics

The Institute of Physics is a leading scientific society. We are a charitable organisation with a worldwide membership of more than 45,000, working together to advance physics education, research and application.

We engage with policymakers and the general public to develop awareness and understanding of the value of physics and, through IOP Publishing, we are world leaders in professional scientific communications. Visit us at