16/03/2016
The recipient of the Institute’s first Athena SWAN best practice award was announced and presented to Elena Vigorito at the Institute’s event to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8th March. The award was created to recognise an individual or group who has shown great commitment to supporting Institute staff in their careers.
The Institute’s Athena SWAN team awarded the prize to Elena for her commitment to mentoring many members of staff during her time as a group leader at the Institute, a relationship which has continued since Elena left the Institute in 2014. Elena was also instrumental in preparing the Institute’s application for a silver Athena SWAN award, gained in April 2015 .
On receiving the award, Elena commented: “I’d like to say that I am very touched for having been nominated and am honoured to receive the Institute's first best practice award for my mentoring support. I believe helping others to progress in their careers is a key responsibility for group leaders, which is very rewarding as well.”
Other nominations for the best practice award recognised group leader Myriam Hemberger for creating the Institute’s first postdoc job-share position and group leader Wolf Reik as a role model for flexible working and promoting family-friendly working practices within his research group.
Reflecting on the creation of the award and Elena’s commitment to supporting the careers of others, Anne Corcoran, Chair of the Athena SWAN self-assessment team at the Institute, said: “We are delighted to inaugurate this annual award to celebrate the many outstanding examples of best practice in supporting staff at Babraham, and very pleased that Elena is the first recipient. Elena has been and continues to be inspirational to both her peers and more senior colleagues as a mentor and advocate, and was a key driving force behind our successful application for a silver Athena SWAN award.”
Elena Vigorito (right) receives the Institute’s first Athena SWAN best practice award from Anne Corcoran, Chair of the Institute’s Athena SWAN self-assessment team.
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16 March 2016