News and Events

December 2012

INTEGER Launch of TGAPs

Professor Clive Williams and Professor Eileen Drew

The Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, Maths and Science, Professor Clive Williams, formally launched the Framework for Transformational Gender Action Plans (TGAPs) on Tuesday 18th December. A reception was held in the New Common Room to mark the launch of the Framework for TGAPs for the Schools of Chemistry and Natural Sciences. The TGAPs are being developed and implemented as part of the INTEGER (Institutional Transformation for Effecting Gender Equality in Research) project led by the Centre for Women in Science & Engineering Research (WiSER).

This milestone event coincided with the departure from WiSER and Trinity College of WiSER’s founding Director, Caroline Roughneen, and the introduction of the new Director, Professor Eileen Drew of the School of Computer Science and Statistics.

Ms. Caroline Roughneen

Following the official launch by the Dean, Professor Jane Grimson and Professor Drew spoke in turn to pay tribute to Caroline’s achievements with WiSER since its establishment, and to highlight the importance of lasting institutional transformation as a means for the College to optimise resources, partnerships, research and academic staff in the pursuit of scientific excellence.

Professor Jane Grimson

Thank you to all who joined us for the event.

To find out more about the INTEGER project and the Transformational Gender Action Plans, please click here.

June 2012

The School of Natural Sciences & the School of Chemistry are committed to the INTEGER process. This includes site visits, group discussions, data collection, and the development and implementation of an action plan.   The INTEGER site visit is of benefit to both Schools, allowing them to:

• obtain independent, objective feedback on their culture and management and how well the university's policies and procedures are applied in the School
• to find how they compare with other Schools
• provide input for the development of Gender Action Plans in support of the INTEGER project and to improve employment practices generally
• engage staff in a constructive and open debate on gender issues

What to expect:
During the course of the visit, Dr. McWhinnie and Ms. Fox will talk to a number of different groups of staff (see below table).  
The topics the consultants intend to cover is within the general theme of what makes a School a good place to work, and includes:

• appointment, promotion, appraisal, training and development processes
• how staff and their contributions are supported, encouraged, valued and recognised
• the allocation of responsibilities and resources, and communications and committees

Not all the above topics will be relevant to all groups and the discussion will be tailored accordingly.

The focus of the INTEGER project is very much on what it is like to work in an Academic School and what CAN be done at a practical level to improve the working environment. INTEGER will examine what changes the working culture for the better, and what makes academic science an enjoyable career and one you would be happy for your son, daughter, nephew or niece to follow you into.  The things that do make a difference are often small and appear to be just common sense, but by putting them together (or taking some of them away!) a real difference can be made.

Some highlights of the INTEGER activity:

• February 2012 First INTEGER Newsletter published
• January 2012  Anne Pepin, of CNRS, presents about INTEGER at EU Parliament (event run by EPWS)
• January 2012 INTEGER Exchange of Experience Seminar and Partnership Group Meeting, Paris
• December 2012 Anne Pepin, of CNRS, speaks at a special session on gender balance at the European Research Council
• November 2011 Dr. Carl Jacobsson of the Swedish Research Council and Professor Teresa Rees of Cardiff University and  the Leadership Foundation for Higher Education become INTEGER Ambassadors
• November 2011 INTEGER Project Management Group Meeting, Brussels
• November 2011 INTEGER partners attend and display poster at the European Gender Summit, Brussels
• November 2011 Anne Pepin, Project Leader for INTEGER at CNRS, speaks at a workshop in Athens run by the FP7-funded GENDERA Project
• October 2011 INTEGER opens Twitter account: follow us @INTEGERProject
• September 2011 Transformational Change Training delivered at Siauliai University
• July 2011 Professor Paul Walton of the University of York becomes INTEGER's first ambassador
• July 2011 INTEGER Partners attend the workshop: STRUCTURAL CHANGE in order to improve Gender Equality in Research Organisations in Europe Towards a Recommendation to the Member States, 30 June – 1 July 2011,  The workshop was organised by the European Commission's Directorate General for Research and Innovation, Directorate European Research Area, Unit B6, Ethics and Gender.
• April 2011 INTEGER Kick Off Meeting, Brussels