University News Last updated 15 October 2020
Birmingham City University has been handed a double celebration after two of its Schools were awarded a top accolade recognising a commitment to gender equality.
The University’s Schools of Nursing and Midwifery and Social Sciences have both successfully secured the Athena SWAN Departmental Bronze Award.
Advance HE, who operate the Athena Swan Charter, announced the news nationally today (Thursday 15 October).
Athena SWAN is a proven catalyst for organisational and cultural transformation that can make a real difference in enabling staff to achieve their maximum potential.
Applicants can apply for institutional and departmental Athena SWAN awards recognising commitment to advancing gender equality across the university.
The Athena SWAN award:
- Helps institutions achieve their gender equality objectives
- Uses a targeted self-assessment framework to support applicants in identifying areas for positive action as well as recognise and share good practice
- Can help institutions meet their equality legislation requirements, as well as the requirements and expectations of some funders and research councils
- Promotes inclusive working practices and can increase retention of valued academics and professional and support staff, demonstrating the commitment of the institutions to an equitable working environment.
Athena SWAN Project Manager Kate Carruthers Thomas said: “This is a fantastic achievement, and the result of over a year of hard work by Self-Assessment Teams in both Schools, particularly by their SAT Leads Dr Keeley Abbott (Psychology) and Professor Fiona Cowdell (Nursing and Midwifery).”
She added: “These are BCU's first Athena SWAN Departmental Awards, and, therefore, represent real progress in embedding commitment to gender equality across the University.”