Athena SWAN Bronze Award for the Department of EEE

Statement:

The Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering is delighted to announce we have been successful in obtaining an Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition of our ongoing commitment to gender equality. The award also reflects our broader recognition of equality, diversity and inclusivity as fundamental values of the Department. The submission was developed by a Self-Assessment Team comprising academic staff, professional services staff, research staff and both undergraduate and post-graduate students, demonstrating a commitment to the principals of the award across our staff and student body. In a traditionally male-dominated discipline, the Department is especially proud to receive this award as we continue to promote and embed a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of our operation.

Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Charter (https://www.ecu.ac.uk/equality-charters/athena-swan/) 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.

A message from Professor Sarah Spurgeon, Head of Department and member of the Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team:

“On behalf of the Department, I am delighted, and very proud, that we been awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze Award. Within the discipline of  Electronic and Electrical Engineering nationally, the position with regard to the pipeline of female engineers is particularly challenging. Our departmental involvement with Athena SWAN has focussed on nurturing the pipeline and ensuring staff development to meet the needs of women and men.  Our record of participating in activities promoting electronic and electrical engineering to a new generation of female school and university students is evidenced by the consistent growth in our female student population where the proportion of female students exceeds national norms across  undergraduate, postgraduate taught and postgraduate research student cohorts. 

Work within Athena SWAN is contributing to the development of an inclusive environment. I am proud that discussion is not confined to the Self-Assessment Team, but is routinely included on the agendas of Departmental committees and debated at Staff Awaydays. Female colleagues play outstanding roles in our success and we greatly celebrate this award as a recognition of the work we are doing to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in the Department.”