National equality award

It has received a Bronze Award from the Equality Challenge Unit’s (ECU) Athena SWAN Charter, which was established in 2005 to encourage efforts to advance women’s careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.

In May last year the Athena SWAN Charter was expanded to recognise work in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), in professional and support roles and for trans staff and students. It recognises work to address gender equality more broadly and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

The university is one of only five universities nationwide to achieve an institutional award under the new expanded process, which recognises gender equality across these disciplines.

Professor Debra Humphris

Professor Debra Humphris, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, said: “I am delighted with the news. University staff have worked extremely hard on these issues and it is a testament to their commitment to equality and diversity that we have received this accolade.”

Dr Ruth Gilligan, ECU’s Athena Swan manager, said: “This is the second awards round where institutions and departments have been able to apply for recognition of their work in (AHSSBL) disciplines as well as STEMM, and we were delighted to see the number of applications using the new criteria.

“There was a 60% success rate for applications using the new criteria which is up from 56% in the previous awards round. This is good progress and we will continue to support institutions and departments as they engage with the new process and criteria.”

Click the link to find out more information about the university’s equality and diversity policies and support. You can also follow our Twitter account @UoB_Equality.