The Equality Challenge Unit’s (ECU) Athena SWAN Charter was 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.
The charter was expanded in 2015 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.
Working towards an Athena SWAN Charter
The Business School received a Bronze Award in the Athena SWAN Charter. This recognises the advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success for all.
Find out more about the Athena SWAN and how the School achieved the award.
ECU’s Athena SWAN Charter covers people of all genders (including women, men, trans, non-binary and other genders) in relation to their:
- representation
- progression of students into academia
- journey through career milestones
- working environment for all staff and students
The Business School has brought together colleagues and student representatives from a variety of academic and professional disciplines to form a working group. In addition, there are subgroups focused on academics, professional staff, and students. Dr Kate Hardy (pictured right) is the academic lead for the working group. Speaking about Athena SWAN, she said:
Athena Swan is one step, of many, needed to embed a true culture and practice of gendered and other equality in the Business School. This also includes taking seriously issues including the gender pay gap and the relative dominance of the male members of staff in senior roles which is an issue across the sector.
You can find out more about the University’s strategic approach to gender equality in the Leeds Gender Framework.