Higher education commended for supporting the career progression of women SET
02 August 2010
For immediate release
Twenty-seven higher education institutions and individual departments have been successful in earning Athena SWAN Charter Awards, which reward excellence in, and commitment to, the career progression of women in science, engineering and technology (SET) departments.
The Athena SWAN Charter, funded by Equality Challenge Unit and the UKRC, aims to encourage institutions to recruit, retain and promote female scientists, engineers and technologists in higher education and research.
Sarah Hawkes, the Athena SWAN Charter coordinator, said:
‘World-class SET research is key for the prosperity of not only the higher education sector, but also the wider British economy. Science cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of the whole population, and until women and men can benefit equally from the opportunities it affords.
At a time when only 5.3% of working women are working in science, engineering and technology in the UK, many higher education institutions are leading the way in encouraging women into SET departments, supporting their career progression and ensuring that they retain skilled and talented female workers, right through to senior academic positions.’
The scheme is open to higher education institutions and research institutions, giving them the opportunity to apply for awards at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels. Now in its fifth year, the Charter has 48 members and continues to grow.
The awards will be presented at a celebratory lunch at the Royal Society, London, on 16 September 2010.
Bronze awards
Bronze awards are given to institutions that support female staff and students.
= Aston University
= Heriot-Watt University
= University of Liverpool
= University of Oxford
= Queen Mary, University of London
= Queen’s University Belfast
= Royal Holloway, University of London
= Sheffield Hallam University
= University of Warwick
Silver awards
Silver awards are given to individual departments that demonstrate substantial progress in attracting women and improving their career prospects.
= University of Cambridge, Department of Physics
= Cardiff University, School of Optometry and Vision Science
= Imperial College London, School of Public Health
= Imperial College London, Department of Materials
= Keele University, School of Physical and Geographical Sciences
= University of Nottingham, School of Physics and Astronomy
= University of Oxford, Department of Zoology
= Queen’s University of Belfast, School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology
= Queen’s University Belfast, School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering
= Queen’s University Belfast, School of Planning, Architecture and Civil Engineering
= Queen’s University Belfast, School of Psychology
= University of Reading, School of Biological Sciences
= University of Reading, School of Mathematics, Meteorology and Physics
= University of Warwick, Department of Chemistry
= University of Warwick, Department of Physics
= University of York, Department of Biology
= University of York, Department of Psychology
Gold awards
Gold awards are reserved for those which clearly demonstrate significant progress on gender equality in SET.
= University of York, Department of Chemistry.
Currently, only one Gold award has been presented in the seven rounds of awards which have taken place.
Ends
Contact details
Anna Roberts
Communications Manager, Equality Challenge Unit
anna.roberts@ecu.ac.uk, 020 7438 1018
Erica Williams
Information Coordinator, the UKRC
info@theukrc.org, 01274 436485
Notes to editors
= The Athena SWAN Charter is a prestigious external benchmark by which universities can measure how inclusive their working practices are. It also provides an opportunity for universities to promote their good practice to a wider audience. www.athenaswan.org.uk
= Charter membership is open to universities and research institutions, which can apply for awards at Bronze, Silver and Gold levels.
= The awards were judged by an independent panel of experts drawn from academia, the professional bodies and industry.
= The scheme is supported and jointly funded by Equality Challenge Unit and the UKRC. More information about these organisations is available on www.ecu.ac.uk and www.theukrc.org.
