Principles
SAGES is a network of self-Governing Scottish HEIs
Each governing body maintains oversight of their institutional strategies and policies with respect to equality and diversity
Some institutional actions are specific to equality and diversity, for example the Athena Swan charter
Other actions with respect to equality and diversity are rightly embedded within the cultural stance across the full breadth of institutional strategy, policy and actively promulgated best practice
SAGES is a network which strives to adhere to the fairest operating principles of its constituent members HEIs
SAGES Actions on Equality and Diversity
Within SAGES decision making powers, three equality and diversity principles exist:
1. Embed equality and diversity in decision making.
2. Shape the approaches in specific requirements of each decision.
3. Ensure accountability of the decision makers with respect to equality and diversity.
Types of decision making within the power of SAGES:
Appointment of leadership roles (Theme leaders)
Awarding of early career grant support
Financial support of sub-networks (Fora)
Small grant awards for individual members
Awarding of PhD studentships
Promotion of the geosciences beyond the academic partners
How the three principles of equality and diversity are managed:
Timing of all meetings are planned with respect to the school day and holidays
Anonymous reviewing of all proposals as far as is possible (proposals related to the skills of the individual applicant and cannot be assessed anonymously, e.g. publication/career history)
Register of gender and seniority (career stage) profile across SAGES committees and membership
Diversity balance of interview and appointments panels prioritised
Annual review by ExCom of SAGES decisions with regard to Equality and Diversity
Specific Accreditation
Athena Swan
All SAGES member institutions have Athena Swan accreditation (Bronze of Silver), at the institutional level and additionally at the departmental level in the case of the larger units.
As a network of self-Governing Scottish HEIs, SAGES cannot meaningfully contribute to all Athena Swan principles, since SAGES has no decision making power relating to them. Nevertheless, SAGES supports all ten Athena Swan charter principles. https://www.ecu.ac.uk/equality-charters/athena-swan/
Grievance Procedure
Should any SAGES member have a grievance with respect to the SAGES Equality and Diversity statement as laid out in this webpage, an independent review of their grievance will be undertaken by the Director or other non-conflicted senior representative of MASTS (Marine Alliance for Science and Technology, Scotland). Their findings will be reported to the SAGES Executive Committee and the SFC.
