The University showed its commitment to promoting careers for women by holding the first meetings of the Athena Swan Self Assessment team in January and March.

Athena Swan Charter is a scheme which recognises excellence in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) employment in higher education and addresses gender inequalities at all levels of the workplace.  Any university or research institution which is committed to the advancement and promotion of the careers of women in SET in higher education and research can apply for membership.

The team are aiming to submit an application to Athena Swan for a university-wide bronze award in November this year. The award will recognise what the university does to promote good practice on recruiting, retaining and promoting women in higher education. The Athena Swan Charter will build on the School of Physics and Astronomy’s success in achieving the Institute of Physics Juno Champion status in 2011.

Professor Neal Juster, who is the University’s Gender Champion and is leading the submission said:

The University is committed to the advancement and promotion of the careers of women in Science, Technology and Engineering and more widely within the University through the achievement of an inclusive and supportive environment. This has been outlined in our strategy Glasgow 2020, where a KPI is to grow the percentage of female Professoriate and those in senior administration roles.

The Athena SWAN Self Assessment Team has representation from all 4 Colleges, each at different stages on their careers; as we recognise that although the Athena Swan Charter is aimed at SET subject areas, any policy proposals which come forward will impact positively on all academic staff.

The Self Assessment Team would appreciate any School or College based examples where female academics have been invited to the University to provide talks or seminar, or where internal staff have been invited to external events and conferences. If full details could be provide to the Equality and Diversity Unit (equality@glasgow.ac.uk or ext. 1887).

First published: 30 March 2012

<< Apr