Athena SWAN Working Group — Department of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology

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Athena SWAN Working Group Members

Dr David Fairen-Jimenez (Chair) Royal Society University Research Fellow Reader in Molecular Engineering David joined the Department in 2012. He is married with two children and tries to balance as much as possible his academic and family life.
Dr Patrick Barrie Senior Lecturer, Deputy Head of Department (Teaching) Patrick has been an academic in the Department since 1995. He is married with one child for whom he has childcare responsibility. He is a Fellow of Emmanuel College and Director of Studies for Murray Edwards College, a women’s College. Currently on Sabbatical
Vanessa S Blake Computer Officer and webmaster Vanessa joined the department in 1996. She is married with two grown up step daughters and one adorable grandson. She returned to work in 2013 after a year of ill health and now works three days a week.
Cara Bootman HR Administrator Cara has worked in the Department since 2008 and in her position as HR Administrator she is responsible for the day-to-day HR duties in the Department. She has two young children and works part time.
Dr Jason Brenker Research Associate Jason joined the department in May 2017 as a researcher applying acoustics to chemical engineering and biotechnology. He is married and is keen to see early career researchers supported as they navigate academia and family life.
Professor John Dennis Professor of Chemical Reaction Engineering and Head of Department John is married and shares a busy lifestyle with his wife, a full-time veterinary surgeon. He has been an academic in the Department since 2002 and is a Fellow of Selwyn College. He became Head of Department in October 2015.
Emma Frampton HR Advisor Emma joined the department in May 2016 and her role is to provide advice, information and support on all things HR-related.
Tara Love PhD student Tara is a PhD student in Chemical Engineering, at the BP Institute for Multiphase Flow. Following her doctorate, she wishes to pursue a career in Industry. She has previously been involved with an Athena SWAN Action Group, at Durham University. She participated in the Science Faculty developing a more diverse and inclusive working environment, with equal opportunities. Improving the recruitment process to aid the elimination of gender-bias was a key focus. She hopes to be able to incorporate her knowledge from her previous involvement with Athena SWAN, and from her personal experiences as a woman in STEM, to help maintain the Bronze, whilst building towards a Silver Award.
Dr Miriam Lynn Equality & Diversity Consultant Miriam is an Equality and Diversity Consultant at the University and is the School of Technology's E&D Liaison where she supports the School to promote inclusion and diversity. She is married and is actively involved in numerous community initiatives.
Dr Tom Matthams Departmental Secretary (Academic Matters) Tom is married with three children of primary/ nursery school age. He balances his daily work routine with childcare responsibilities that he shares with his wife.

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