Athena SWAN success

The School of Chemistry has received an Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition of its commitment to gender equality.

The hard work and commitment demonstrated by the School of Chemistry to promote gender equality and tackle disparity has led them to achieve an Athena SWAN Bronze award.

The Athena SWAN Charter aims to recognise and encourage commitment to gender equality in higher education and research.

Professor Damien Murphy, Head of School, said: “This Bronze Award is testament to the School’s commitment to enable each individual to have the best opportunity to fulfil their potential. The School is committed to embedding equality and diversity considerations into all its activities.

I would like to thank everyone involved for their hard work, particularly the members of the SAT team who contributed to writing the submission and the whole School community for recognising the need to create an environment that recognises representation, progression and success for all.”

The Athena SWAN Charter was originally established in 2005 by the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) – now part of Advance HE – to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) in higher education and research.

Ten years on, the Charter expanded to include the arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women. The revised Charter aims to act as a catalyst for organisational and cultural transformation, making a real difference to all staff by promoting equitable, fair and inclusive working practices.

The School of Chemistry’s submission will be valid for four years until April 2023.