Athena SWAN
We are delighted to have been awarded a Silver Athena SWAN Award in recognition of our commitment and success in addressing gender equality.
What is Athena SWAN
Launched in July 2005, Athena SWAN is a quality charter mark framework and accreditation scheme established and managed by the UK Equality Challenge Unit (now part of Advance HE).
It recognises and celebrates good practices in higher education and research institutions towards the advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success.
UCL is firmly committed to the aims and principles of Athena SWAN and was one of the first Universities to sign up to the scheme.
The Athena SWAN Charter
- Helps institutions achieve their gender equality objectives
- Assists institutions to meet equality legislation requirements, as well as the requirements and expectations of some funders and research councils
- Uses a targeted self-assessment framework to support applicants identify areas for positive action as well as recognise and share good practice
- Supports the promotion of inclusive working practices that can increase your the retention of valued academics and professional and support staff, demonstrating your an institution’s commitment to an equitable working environment.
Athena Swan Charter
The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research.
2016 Application and Award
The success of any academic institute rests upon a workforce that works well together and acknowledges that each staff member has strengths and needs that reflect their gender, experience, expertise and caring responsibilities. Over half of our taught and research postgraduates are women and the new Centre for Postgraduate Research will ensure that we gain similar improvements in PhD female percentages. We are committed to achieving an environment that maximises opportunities for all staff.
We have improved course flexibility to enable students to balance study, work and home commitments. Our percentage of women on these courses exceeds that of postgraduate dental courses elsewhere. We also support staff undertaking PhDs whilst working as clinical academics. This and other measures has increased numbers of female clinicians with training suitable for academic and teaching posts. I'm so pleased to be a part of an organisation that will identify and remove inequality in our workforce
Athena SWAN Committee
Our Athena SWAN Committee is now known as the EDI Committee as we are committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) as a whole.
More about the EDI Committee and how to join
The Equalities Committee
The Equalities Committee meets monthly to embed equality and diversity across the Institute. Each member feeds into a focus group and provides feedback to the wider committee on a regular basis.
