What is Athena SWAN?
Advance HE’s Athena Swan Charter was originally established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.
In May 2015 the Athena Swan Charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.
The Athena Swan Charter covers women (and men where appropriate) in:
- academic roles in STEMM and AHSSBL
- professional and support staff
- trans staff and students
In relation to their:
- representation
- progression of students into academia
- journey through career milestones
- working environment for all staff
What is happening at the University of Glasgow?
The University joined the Charter in August 2011 with the endorsement of the Principal and the Senior Management Group. Following our first submission in November 2012, the University was awarded an Athena Swan Institutional Bronze Award in April 2013. Following this, our Schools and Research Institutes began submitting applications for their own 'departmental' awards.
In September 2015 the University signed up to the expanded key principles.
The University currently holds an Institutional level Bronze Award and is working on the latest Action Plan.
Now our Schools and Research Institutes hold Gold, Silver and Bronze level awards across 23 areas (see below for details). These awards recognise their achievements in having action plans in place which demonstrate progress made on gender equality, and include actions on how they intend to continue to progress.
The Gender Equality Group provide leadership and supports the University’s gender equality ambitions and programme of work on Athena Swan.
Support for this work is available through the Athena Swan Network and Surgeries. (internal site).
University of Glasgow Awards
Institutional Bronze:
University of Glasgow Institutional Athena Swan Award Submission
Departmental Gold:
Institute of Health and WellBeing (now called School of Health & Wellbeing)
Departmental Silver:
Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health and Comparative Medicine (now part of School of Biodiversity, One Health & Veterinary Medicine)
Institute of Cancer Sciences (now called School of Cancer Sciences)
Institute of Cardiovascular and Medical Sciences (now called School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health)
School of Geographical and Earth Sciences
Institute of Infection, Immunity and Inflammation (now called School of Infection & Immunity)
James Watt School of Engineering
School of Medicine, Dentistry and Nursing
Institute of Molecular, Cell and Systems Biology (now called School of Molecular Biosciences)
Institute of Neuroscience and Psychology and School of Psychology (Joint application)
School of Physics and Astronomy
School of Veterinary Medicine (now part of School of Biodiversity, One Health, & Veterinary Medicine)
Departmental Bronze:
Adam Smith Business School
School of Chemistry
School of Computing Science
School of Humanities/ Sgoil nan Daonnachdan
School of Interdisciplinary Studies
Scottish Universities Environmental Research Centre
If you require an alternative format, please contact the Equality and Diversity Unit.