Culture, history and society
Project Juno
Project Juno was the IOP’s flagship gender equality award for university physics departments and schools of physics, and other related organisations.
After running for 15 years, Project Juno was retired in June 2023. The IOP launched the Physics Inclusion Award in April 2024 to support university physics departments to be welcoming and inclusive to all. Find out more about the Physics Inclusion Award.
Project Juno was an award scheme that recognised and rewarded university physics departments, schools of physics, and related institutes and organisations that demonstrated they had taken action to address gender equality at all levels and to foster a more inclusive working environment.
Much more than just a box-ticking exercise, the three-step award scheme required a significant amount of effort, evidence and commitment and the demonstration of long-term improvements in order for applicants to be recognised. It was the first award of its kind specifically created for the physics community and by the physics community.
Feedback from applicants has shown it can have a profound and lasting impact on gender equality in the awarded department or establishment.
Juno award levels
There are three levels of Juno award:
- Supporter
- Practitioner
- Champion
There are six Juno Principles that those who applied to the award agreed to progress towards meeting:
- Principle 1: Organisational Framework
- Principle 2: Appointment and Selection
- Principle 3: Career Progression and Promotion
- Principle 4: Working Culture and Workload Allocation
- Principle 5: Flexible Working
- Principle 6: Professional Conduct, Harassment and Bullying
How Juno was created
IOP undertook a study of university physics departments around the UK over a two-year period (from 2003-2005). We wanted to find out what issues students and staff might be facing, and to understand how we could help. The issue cited most often by all the institutions surveyed was the lack of recruitment, retention and progression of women, an issue also prevalent in the broader world of physics. As a result of this research, Project Juno was created.
More information
For any queries relating to Project Juno or the Physics Inclusion Award, please contact [email protected].
Current Juno award holders
Find out which institutions hold a Juno award (Project Juno was retired in June 2023).
Project Juno independent evaluation
In 2013 we commissioned an independent evaluation of Project Juno to understand the impact it had on physics departments in its first five years of operation.
Project Juno and Athena SWAN
Project Juno and Athena SWAN are reciprocal awards, meaning once you have achieved one, you can convert it to the other using your existing paperwork provided that you are already a Juno Supporter and your institution has achieved at least Athena SWAN Bronze.
Both schemes have additional requirements and you need to read the Juno code of practice (PDF, 320KB) carefully to ensure you submit the right paperwork.