The senior gender equality network (SGEN) is a network of male and female colleagues committed to progressing gender equality across the University of Cambridge.
The network was established by the vice-chancellor, who invited 80 senior administrators and academics (a quarter of whom were men) to participate and encourage engagement across the departments, faculties and schools.
The group enables support and sharing of good practice between members and provides resources, information, learning opportunities for members to act as local gender equality champions. All SGEN members have made a commitment to make a difference by investing their time and efforts in pushing forward these issues in many different ways: formally, informally, individually and collectively.
SGEN aims to increase the number of local champions so that gender equality, and equality for other protected groups, is woven into the institutional fabric of the university. They have seen success in increasing engagement with women and senior managers.
Some initiatives include:
- delivery of career development initiatives, highlighting the importance of gender equality in mainstream activities
- involvement in the senior academic promotions process, encouraging more women applicants
- delivering briefings to inform and support academic staff applying for promotion