Project Juno: Advancing Gender Equality in Physics Careers in Higher Education in the United Kingdom

Abstract

We report here a brief summary of the Project Juno initiated and developed by the Institute of Physics (IoP) in the UK. The IoP has a longstanding interest in diversity issues, particularly around the participation of girls and women in physics, who are under-represented in physics education and employment. In 2003, the IoP visited physics departments and produced a dedicated report on their gender inclusiveness: “Women in University Physics Departments: a Site Visit Scheme”. Building upon the best practice identified in this influential report, the IoP established Project Juno, an award scheme that aims to promote gender equality in higher education physics departments. The Juno Principles provide a framework for specific actions to improve the participation and retention, particularly of women, in physics careers. The main aims of the scheme are to develop an equitable, open and transparent working culture in which students and staff, men and women, can all achieve their full potential; to promote open discussion of gender and other equality issues; and to encourage departments to determine priorities for action. Departments apply for the award and are assessed by an independent Panel of physicists with longstanding experience of addressing gender equality issues. There are three levels of the scheme (Supporter, Practitioner and Champion) and almost all of the physics departments in the UK and Ireland are now participating, together with Research Institutes and one company. Currently, there are 17 Supporters, 14 Practitioners and 18 Champions.