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Department’s EDI Culture acknowledged with Athena Swan Bronze Award
5 May 2025
UCL Mechanical Engineering’s inclusive culture has been formally acknowledged with an Athena Swan Bronze Award from higher-education charity Advance HE.
The Athena Swan Charter is a framework for promoting gender equality in higher education and research institutions globally. It recognises and celebrates good practices that advance gender equality in representation, progression, and success for staff and students alike.
The widely recognized initial ‘seal of approval’ for inclusivity and gender equality, and the department’s culture behind it, is especially welcomed in the traditionally male-dominated discipline of engineering, and mechanical engineering in particular.
Sharing the news, Dr. Giorgia Maria Bosi (pictured, right), Athena Swan Lead for the department and an RAEng Fellow, said:
"This award is a reflection of the inclusive values that have long been embedded in our department’s culture. While we celebrate this milestone, we also recognize that there is still more work to be done; our EDI journey continues, and this recognition is not just an endpoint but rather a significant step forward in our ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality, fostering an inclusive culture, and creating a supportive environment for all colleagues and students. The award is an achievement for the entire department. We should all be incredibly proud of this recognition.”
Some members of UCL Mechanical Engineering's EDI committee
From left to right: EDI committee members, PhD student Rafizul MD, Student Experience and Wellbeing Officer Ruby Towers, EDI Director Professor Andrea Ducci, Athena Swan Lead Dr Giorgia Bosi and Departmental Tutor Dr Christian Klettner.
Welcoming the award, the department's Director of EDI, Professor Andrea Ducci said, "This award has been a long-standing goal for our department, and I’m incredibly proud that we’ve finally achieved it. I want to wholeheartedly congratulate everyone in the department for embracing change and driving this forward. It’s been an honour to work alongside such an inspiring and dedicated team. This award is not an endpoint but represents the first step towards our ambitious EDI goals. Let this achievement motivate us to continue our efforts in creating an inclusive environment, fostering diversity, and championing equity throughout our department. Together, we can make a significant difference!"
Athena Swan Awards are made by higher education charity Advance HE, which works with partners across the globe to “improve higher education for staff, students, and society.”
