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Mark Middleton Head of Oncology says “Athena Swan has given us a mirror that we hold up to ourselves. It has been instrumental in ensuring our Department is inclusive, fair, supportive and collaborative”

Department of Oncology: RECOGNISE Mentoring Scheme

The RECOGNISE Mentoring Scheme is an interdepartmental initiative run in partnership with the Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences (NDS).

Some mentoring occurs naturally and informally in the workplace, but it usually needs some coordination to ensure that it happens for all those who want mentoring. RECOGNISE aims to provide that coordination and actively facilitate the building of relationships across NDS and Oncology units.

The overall aim is to assist mentees to achieve personal and professional growth through a mentoring relationship that provides support as they progress and develop within the University.

We have developed training for all RECOGNISE mentors and mentees to support them in creating an effective partnership.

This joint pilot scheme was launched in March 2022 and, so far, has established over 40 mentoring partnerships, with more than 15 of these being interdepartmental.

Applications are now being received on a rolling basis.

Read about the Departmental Mentoring Scheme on the Oncology website

Read about the Departmental Mentoring Scheme on the NDS website

"I’m really looking forward to the opportunity to develop a mentoring partnership with someone who understands my career but is independent of my day-to-day work.” – mentee registered with RECOGNISE

An image of women in conversation representing the Oncology and NDS inter-departmental mentoring scheme. Some mentoring occurs naturally in the workplace, but it usually needs some coordination to ensure that it happens for all those who want mentoring. RECOGNISE actively facilitates the building of relationships across NDS and Oncology

60 seconds with… series

Our mini ‘60 seconds with…’ interviews are a Departmental initiative aimed at promoting the importance of the people within our Department.

It highlights the range of work they carry out through research, administrative and support areas, recognising their expertise, showcasing career paths, and also acknowledging their life outside of work too.

Since starting this project in 2019, we have around 40 articles with approximately 22 women and 18 men taking part to date.

Previous interviewees have informed us how much they enjoy taking part, that it increases their visibility in the department, and one female researcher also reported starting a potential new collaboration as a result of her interview being promoted via our Twitter channel!

Read 60 seconds with... interviews on the Department of Oncology website

"Thank you again for approaching me, the support received has been overwhelming” – DPhil interviewee feedback on an article piece which celebrated a personal achievement

Athena Swan in Oncology: Women in Focus

Our ‘Women in Focus’ series is a new initiative within the Department, which began in mid-2021. We plan to publish two to three biographies each year which focus on female scientists who’ve reached the top of their careers both within Oxford and beyond.

The idea behind this particular project is to provide a valuable insight into the resilience required as a scientist and how these women have broken through the infamous “glass ceiling”.

The aim of this is to not only inspire future female scientists, but also to highlight the varied career paths taken, and the challenges they’ve overcome to achieve their goals.

Read the Department of Oncology blogs

“The biographies highlight the childhood influences and student experiences that have emboldened these women to thrive in the male-dominated world of academic science.”

Sarah Blagden, AS Academic Lead, Department of Oncology

Sarah Blagdon says “The biographies highlight the childhood influences and student experiences that have emboldened these women to thrive in the male-dominated world of academic science.”

 

Click here to read about EDI activity in one of our other 16 departments:

MSD Goes Silver: 10 Years of Athena Swan