Global Gender Gap Index 2014: 26th

There are several activities in the UK now to support and increase the participation of women to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). Universities can apply for an Athena Swan award, at three different levels (bronze, silver and gold). These awards are granted after a very demanding application and peer review process, based on collection and analysis of diversity data. While this poses several problems, for example that junior women tend to be lumbered with the job of preparing the application for their departments, it has served well to raise awareness of the massive gender imbalance in STEM.

UK EWM works closely with the London Mathematical Society Women in Mathematics Committee, which among many other activities runs a Good Practice Scheme supporting mathematics departments interested in embedding equal opportunities for women, and preparing Athena Swan applications. The Isaac Newton Institute also have a Gender Balance Programme.

The main meeting point of women mathematician in the UK is the annual Women in Mathematics Day. Usually this is a one, or sometimes two-day event, with a few invited lectures and PhD-junior short lectures, plus time to network. This year the event lasted four days celebrating women across the mathematical sciences, and for the first time it had a day dedicated to high school students as well. The event was held in Oxford in 2015 as part of the 150th anniversary year of the LMS. You can follow what is going on Twitter: @womeninmaths.