Gender Equality and Athena Swan at EEE

Gender equality has come a long way but there is still so much more that can be done.

EDI work focusing on gender equality across all areas of engineering has seen an imbalance historically. Even though progress has been made, we acknowledge there is so much more that can be done. Our common goal, to commit to an intersectional approach.

We want all staff and students to feel safe in their work environment and place of study, without fear of discrimination or subject to sexual harassment.

We have outlined numerous networks, groups, support, and resources below to help you navigate all the information UCL has to offer.

If you can’t find what you are looking for, please email edi@ee.ucl.ac.uk and a member of the EDI committee will respond. Please note that all information provided below can be found on the UCL Gender Equality webpage.

Networks, Groups and Societies

Women in Engineering Society

The UCL Women in Engineering Society, started by Dr Luiza Cintra Campos, aims to help more women advance in engineering. Student/associate membership is free, offering the chance to win sponsorship to attend external events.

Parents and Careers Together (PACT)

UCL Parents and Careers Together (PACT) is a volunteer-led grassroots network that was established in May 2014 to raise awareness of the needs of working parents and careers.

Gender Equality Network

Gender Equality Network (GEN) is a UCL virtual network that allows any member of our community who is interested in gender equality to find out more. GEN allows members to share information on local and institutional gender equality initiatives, activities, and events that may be of interest to the broader UCL community. It also provides a forum to share information on national equality initiatives.

UCL Resources and Support

Gender Equality at UCL

Gender Equality at UCL webpage holds information on gender equality and other entitlements for pregnant staff and students at UCL.

UCL Astrea

For women who work in Profession Services, the UCL Astrea provides information, resources, a networking group, and events that aid and support.

Athena Swan at UCL

The Athena Swan charter is a gender equality framework used across the higher education sector. Participating institutions and departments use the charter to improve gender representation, progression, and the working environment for all staff.

Athena Swan

UCL Electronic & Electrical Engineering holds a Silver Award under the Athena Swan Charter, recognising sustained and measurable progress in advancing gender equality within the department. We previously held a Bronze Award from 2018.

Achieving Silver reflects the collective effort of colleagues across EEE and the leadership of our EDI teams in embedding long-term actions to improve culture, progression, representation and student experience. Our application included a comprehensive action plan that builds on previous work and sets clear priorities for the coming years.

Our approach combines continuous self-assessment with targeted action. We monitor student and staff data to identify structural barriers and areas for improvement, and we implement initiatives focused on fair recruitment and promotion processes, transparency in workload and progression, mentoring and support, and training to strengthen inclusive practice.

While the Silver Award marks significant progress, it is not an endpoint. We remain committed to strengthening equality, diversity and inclusion across all protected characteristics and to ensuring EEE is an inclusive and supportive environment for everyone in our community.