University achieves Athena SWAN Bronze Award
- Wednesday, October 24, 2018
The University of Roehampton has been awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze Award by Advance HE.
The Athena SWAN Charter assesses an institution's commitment to recognising the advancement of gender equality in higher education through the fair representation, progression and success of all. Launched in 2005, the Charter originally focused on the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) but has been expanded to also consider individual's experiences in the arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), professional and support roles, and trans staff and students.
To achieve a Bronze Award a university self-assessment team undertook a self-assessment and developed a four year action plan. The self-assessment team was led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost, and the Head of the Department of Psychology.
The action plan focuses on five key themes:
- Strategy, leadership and governance
- Monitoring and reporting
- Recruitment, promotion and supporting work/life balance
- Removing obstacles to career progression
- Organisational culture
The University will now begin to deliver the actions we have identified, working towards Department-level Bronze Awards and a University Silver Award by 2022.
Dr Diane Bray, joint chair of the self-assessment team commented ‘This is a fantastic achievement for the University and a reflection of how much progress we have made regarding equality, diversity and inclusion. There is, as always, work to do as indicated in our aspirational action plan and we must continue to strive in preparations for Silver! This award is a reflection of the work of colleagues across the University, the Self-Assessment Team, and in particular the commitment of the Project Management Team.’
Professor Paul O'Prey, Vice-Chancellor, commented ‘I am delighted the University has been awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze Award. Colleagues from across our community, including our students and Students' Union, worked together to develop our submission. My particular thanks goes to members of the self-assessment team and all of those who contributed to our consultation, and I look forward to supporting our Athena SWAN work into the future.’
For more information on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) at the University of Roehampton, go to our EDI pages.