Athena SWAN

The Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 by the Equality Challenge Unit (now part of Advance HE).

It aimed to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in STEMM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine) employment in higher education and research.

In 2015, the charter was expanded to include non-STEMM disciplines, professional and support staff, and trans staff and students. The Transformed Charter recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, not just barriers to progression that affect women.

See our certificate of commitment to Athena SWAN principles (PDF).

Athena SWAN in the Faculty

Chartermarks operate as meaningful catalysts for culture change, underpinned by structural support.

For example, in the Faculty we have committed to supporting:

  • scholarships for under-represented PGR students
  • external leadership training programmes such as Aurora, Stellar HE and 100 Black Women Professors Now!
  • coaching and mentoring
  • inclusive advocacy
  • academic returners
  • carer support schemes

All three of our Schools hold Athena SWAN Silver awards. Our groups meet regularly, both within and across Schools, and drive our work towards gender equality, and a diverse, inclusive and supportive working environment to benefit all our staff and students.

We are currently working together on our next Faculty submission for 2024.

"We have made great progress in our previous action plans, but still much more can be done. Embedding EDI principles across all aspects of our activities, with everyone taking accountability, is critical to create a more equitable, diverse and inclusive teaching, research and working environment for everyone across the Faculty."

Dr Natalie Gardiner / Associate Dean for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

More information

To find out more about Athena SWAN in FBMH, please contact us.

Natalie Gardiner
Email: natalie.gardiner@manchester.ac.uk

Beth Micakovic
Email: elizabeth.micakovic@manchester.ac.uk

Getting involved

If you would like to get involved with an EDI and/or Athena SWAN team, please submit your details via our online form.

Alternatively, you can get in touch with the relevant School Director/Lead for EDI lead:

School of Biological Sciences
Email: suzanne.verstappen@manchester.ac.uk

School of Health Sciences
Email: juhi.gupta@manchester.ac.uk

School of Medical Sciences
Email: katharine.dibb@manchester.ac.uk and neil.pemberton@manchester.ac.uk

Faculty Research and Business Engagement
Email: darien.rozentals@manchester.ac.uk

Our Athena SWAN and EDI initiatives are supported by regular network events, meetings and workshops, and everyone is welcome to attend.

Resources

 

Athena SWAN Silver Award logo.