Rachel Archbold, our Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, has been appointed as one of 21 panel Chairs for the recently-transformed UK Athena Swan Charter. Athena Swan is the framework used to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research. It has recently moved from an assessment to a developmental and supportive approach.

Being part of the Athena Swan transformation process provides an exciting opportunity that links into a critical period of change. This will inform how universities have, and continue to, respond to gender inequalities that are amplified through the current pandemic to effect sustained cultural change across the sector.

Athena Swan is the framework used to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research. It has recently moved from an assessment to a developmental and supportive approach.

Rachel will lead on providing professional expertise to Athena Swan applications from other institutions and help them to embed the Athena Swan Charter principles to deliver culture change.

Rachel said: “Being part of the Athena Swan transformation process provides an exciting opportunity that links into a critical period of change. This will inform how universities have, and continue to, respond to gender inequalities that are amplified through the current pandemic to effect sustained cultural change across the sector.”

We are committed to all departments at the University holding an Athena SWAN award by 2022/23. Each of our 20 Athena SWAN applications to date has helped us to assess where we can enhance current policies and practices to better support progress towards gender equality and bring about positive changes within the University.

Find out more here.