Having previously held a Bronze Award, this improved award demonstrates the recognition of the importance of equality and inclusion across the Department and the work which has been done to implement additional inclusivity.
Professor Genevieve Langdon, in the role of Department Director of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion led the Athena Swan working group, preparing a detailed application which analysed the current level of gender equality within the Department and detailed initiatives already undertaken to further promote equality.
These measures have included a review and update to our Staff Review and Development Scheme which has increased staff return rates to 96% and has seen examples of shared parental leave being used to ensure continuity of career trajectories and balanced family life for parents equally. Additionally, our professoriate is now 20% female and women are visibly delivering excellence through senior leadership roles, further evidence that our practices are delivering tangible results.
We are pleased to be recognised for providing equal opportunities to everyone who studies and works within our Civil and Structural Engineering Department. Martin Mayfield, Head of Department, commented; “This is fantastic news. The award recognises the fabulous hard work by Genevieve and the team and recognises our ongoing efforts to put ED&I at the centre of everything we do in Civil and Structural Engineering.”
The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research. It was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment.