Gender Equality Steering Group

Gender Equality Steering Group

The University’s Gender Equality Steering Group (GESG) currently has strategic responsibility for progressing gender equality via our five-year Gender Equality action plan

Gender Equality Steering Group (GESG) will be responsible for two key areas:   

  • Supporting the implementation of the Aberdeen 2040 Inclusive commitments related to gender equality and,
  • Acing as the Self-Assessment Team for the University's Silver-level Athena Swan Submission by 2026.

Terms of Reference

Gender Equality Steering Group Terms of Reference

Expectations of GESG members

Participation in GESG, including the Athena Swan self-assessment process, provides the opportunity to:

  • Reflect on a range of quantitative and qualitative data, gathered and prepared by the central Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) team, to identify both challenges and opportunities with regards to gender equality
  • Contribute to evaluation of the efficacy of the University’s policies relating to gender equality and recommending change where appropriate
  • Respond to the findings of the quantitative and qualitative data and establishing gender equality-based priority areas and appropriate aspirations and targets
  • Develop an evidence-based action plan which states clear aspirations and success measures.

GESG will meet on a quarterly basis and the anticipated hours of involvement would be 3 hours per quarter – for meeting attendance and preparation such as reading the meeting papers - 12 hours per year. 

GESG members are be expected to prepare for and participate fully in GESG meetings.

As we progress the self-assessment process from 2024 onwards, there may be opportunities to get involved in sub-groups focusing on specific areas of the self-assessment process.

Recognition

The work of the GESG members will be appropriately recognised.   

Contribution of academic staff is recognised through their Annual Review and as citizenship contribution in the proposed Workload Model. Citizenship is recognised within the academic promotion process. 

Contribution of professional services staff is recognised through their Annual Review. 

Students who contribute to the GESG will have their contribution recognised in their transcripts.

Find out more

If you would like to find out more about the Gender Equality Steering Group, please contact Clare Matysova, Senior Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Partner, clare.matysova@abdn.ac.uk