Athena SWAN

Athena SWAN and UCL Department of Biochemical Engineering

To date, relatively few engineering departments have achieved an Athena Swan Gold award. We feel this is a testament to our inherent ethos and culture, where gender-balanced leadership, career development, and commitment to inclusivity are at the heart of everything we do.

In 2025 this became UCL’s 6th Gold award - more than any other university - and the Faculty of Engineering’s 3rd, reinforcing our leadership in ED&I.

Background of Athena SWAN

The Athena Scientific Women’s Academic Network (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.

In May 2015 the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and in professional and support roles, and for transgender staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.