Equality, diversity and inclusion
The School of Chemical and Physical Sciences values diversity, and is committed to ensuring equality of opportunity. We have been held Athena Swan awards for more than 10 years. As an institution, Keele University is a member of the Disability Confident scheme and is presently working towards the Race Equality Charter (REC) Bronze Award.
The SCPS Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Self-Assessment Team (EDISAT)
The team is co-chaired by Dr Tess Phillips and Dr Martin Hollamby, and comprises staff from across the school, representing a balance in terms of gender, grade and work/life experiences:
EDISAT team

Dr Graeme R. Jones
Part Time Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry
- Lennard-Jones: 1.34
- +44 (0)1782 734173
- g.r.jones@keele.ac.uk

Dr Jacco Th. van Loon
Reader; Year 1 Tutor
- Lennard-Jones: 2.07
- +44 (0)1782 733331
- j.t.van.loon@keele.ac.uk

Professor Maria Heckl
Professor of Engineering Mathematics
- Lennard-Jones: 0.17A
- +44(0)1782 733423
- m.a.heckl@keele.ac.uk

Dr Martin Hollamby
Lecturer
- Lennard-Jones: 1.14
- +44 (0)1782 733532
- m.hollamby@keele.ac.uk

Professor Mike Watkinson
Head of School
- Lennard-Jones: 0.15A
- +44 (0)1782 732824
- m.watkinson@keele.ac.uk

Dr Nick Wright
Ernest Rutherford Fellow
- Lennard-Jones: 2.03
- +44 (0)1782 734997
- n.j.wright@keele.ac.uk

Dr Nilanthy Balakrishnan
Lecturer in Physics
- Lennard-Jones: 2.10
- +44(0)178 273 3045
- n.balakrishnan@keele.ac.uk

Dr Tess Phillips
Lecturer
- Lennard-Jones: 1.46
- +44 (0)1782 733038
- t.r.phillips@keele.ac.uk

Dr Vivienne Heaton
Lecturer
- Lennard-Jones: 0.18B
- +44 (0)1782 733115
- v.g.heaton@keele.ac.uk
Also affiliated to the team are the Faculty of Natural Sciences Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, Dr Sue Sherman; the Athena Swan Support Officer, Hannah Barjat; and the Athena SWAN champion for our sister School of Geography, Geology and the Environment, Dr Alix Cage.
Our primary aims
- Ensure that the School promotes equality, diversity and inclusion both internally and externally
- Identify inequalities across the School and recommend actions to address them.
We meet quarterly and report directly to the monthly School Leadership Group, all staff at monthly School meetings and the quarterly Faculty EDI Committee.
If you have any issues or queries concerning EDI issues, please feel free to raise them with any of the members of the team.
CONTACT US
The EDI co-chairs have an open-door policy, and welcome discussion about EDI issues with all school members. Alternatively, you can:
View and book appointment slots with one of the EDI co-chairs.
Our anonymous on-line suggestions box collects ideas and/or comments relating to equality, diversity or inclusion issues within our school.
SCPS EDI-RELATED INFORMATION
Developing an equitable working culture at Keele
Since November 2019 the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences has been a member of the IOP’s project Juno. The school currently holds a Juno supporter award and will continue to work towards Practitioner and then Champion status.
The School is committed to the six principles of project Juno, in taking action to address gender equality in physics and to encourage better practice for all staff and students.
Breast-feeding room
A private room for breast-feeding and/or breast milk expression can be made available within the Lennard Jones building. Please contact one of the co-chairs for more information.
SCPS EDI-RELATED ACTIVITIES
April 2020 - Present | Alongside the sustainability committee we are holding weekly themed staff coffee mornings. |
Febraury 2020 | Keele Observatory ran a themed evening as part of Faculty activities celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. |
November 2019 | SCPS became a supporter of the IOP's project Juno. |
May 2019 | SCPS host our annual Salters’ Festival in Chemistry – including a specific festival for pupils with special educational needs and/or disabilities. |
May 2019 | EDISAT and the Sustainability committee launch the “CPS Thank You Project” a pilot project to share appreciation and gratitude within the school. |
April 2019 | PhD student Clara Pennock won a grant (£700) from the Royal Astronomical Society for public engagement activities during her upcoming field trip to India. |
March 2019 | SCPS is awarded a Keele Sustainability Benchmark Award with three leaves. |
11 February 2019 | Keele Observatory will run a themed evening as part of Faculty activities celebrating the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. |
10 December 2018 | A School focus group was held to investigate our approach to New Starters. EDISAT co-chair Martin Hollamby attended the Athena SWAN awards ceremony (Southampton, UK). |
8 November 2018 | Keele Observatory delivered a (free) public session on "Astronomy in Islam". |
25 October 2018 | The School was notified of their successful Athena SWAN bronze award application. |
4 July 2018 | Senior lecturer in physics Joana Oliveira delivered a presentation about women in STEM at the Biddulph Festival for Women. |
