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Athena SWAN

In June 2011, the University received membership of Athena SWAN, a scheme launched in 2005 to recognise excellence in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) employment in higher education.

The Athena SWAN Charter recognises and celebrates good employment practice for women working in science, engineering and technology (SET) in higher education and research.

The beliefs underpinning the Charter are:

The advancement of SET subjects is fundamental to quality of life across the globe
It is vitally important that women are adequately represented in what has traditionally been, and is still, a male-dominated area
Science cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of the whole population, and until women and men can benefit equally from the opportunities it affords

The University has applied for the Charter's bronze award. This is a significant measure of progress towards embracing equality for women in SET subjects, as well as the acknowledgement of an important standard for our academic colleges.

The University's submission and Action Plan can be found here:

It will become an important ongoing initiative for the University in the coming months and years, demonstrating excellence in SET subjects and become the foundation for individual departments to apply for the silver award.

A Project Group and Self-Assessment Team have been set up under the guidance of Professor Neva Haites, Vice-Principal for Equality and Diversity.