Athena SWAN
About Athena SWAN
The Athena SWAN Charter evolved from work between the Athena Project and the Scientific Women’s Academic Network (SWAN) and recognises commitment to advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education. More information is available on the Athena SWAN website.
Charter
The beliefs underpinning the Charter are:
• The advancement of science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine is fundamental to quality of life across the globe
• It is vitally important that women are adequately represented in what has traditionally been, and is still, a male-dominated area
• Science cannot reach its full potential unless it can benefit from the talents of the whole population, and until women and men can benefit equally from the opportunities it affords
Membership
Any higher education institution which is committed to the advancement and promotion of the careers of women in STEMM in higher education and research can apply for membership. As a result of the Vice-Chancellor’s Think Tank on Gender Balance in Academic Careers, the University became a member of Athena SWAN in January 2009. The work we have done to encourage the employment and career progression of women employed in STEMM was recognised by a Bronze Award in September 2009 which was successfully renewed in November 2012.
Bronze Award
An Athena SWAN Bronze award demonstrates that an institution as a whole has a solid foundation for eliminating gender bias and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff. The University’s Bronze Award was renewed in November 2012, and our application (PDF, KB) shows our commitment to the six Athena SWAN principles at a senior level.
The University has formed an Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team (SAT) to lead and support this process and to monitor progress of our Action Plan 2012-15 (PDF, KB). This plan identifies five strategic areas which will help to address the areas of gender inequality in STEMM: Support structures; Career Advice and Support; Communication; Key Transition Points, Appointments and Promotion; Policies and Procedures.
Athena SWAN Silver and Gold Award
Universities must achieve a Bronze award before individual Schools/Institutes can apply for recognition at Silver level in their own right. The logic behind this is that it would be difficult, if not impossible, for a School/Institute to sustain the level of a Silver award without university support and underpinning university good practice policies and processes.
Silver department awards recognise that in addition to institution-wide policies the department has a significant record of activity and achievement and has identified particular challenges, has implemented activities and can demonstrate their impact so far. Two of our academic units have been awarded the Silver Athena SWAN department award so far and more information regarding their application and action plan can be found via the links below.
Institute of Health and Society - Athena SWAN Silver (awarded April 2011)
Institute of Cellular Medicine - Athena SWAN Silver (awarded November 2012)
Newcastle University Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team
Newcastle’s team has representation from both men and women, at different stages of their academic careers and administrative support to facilitate the meeting and actions of the group.
If you wish to give feedback on the Athena SWAN Action Plan (PDF, 86KB) or discuss any gender issues, please contact one of the team members.
- Dr Kirsty Anderson
- Professor Vicki Bruce OBE
- Professor David Burn
- Dr Jarka Glassey
- Dr Jonathan Goss
- Mrs Jan Halliburton
- Mrs Veryan Johnston (chair)
- Dr Chris Phillips
- Professor Judith Rankin
- Miss Nancy Rios
- Dr Candy Rowe
- Dr Elizabeth Scanlon (secretary)
- Mrs Chris Stafford
- Professor Selina Stead
- Dr Catherine Tetard-Jones
Faculty Athena SWAN Groups
Groups have been set up in the Faculties of Medical Sciences (FMS) and Science Agriculture and Engineering (SAgE) with a remit that includes co-ordinating and supporting Athena SWAN applications from across the Faculty. This will be done in conjunction with the University Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team.
SAgE Faculty Diversity Group
Chair: Dr Jarka Glassey, Secretary: Dr Kirsty Anderson
FMS Equality and Fairness Group
Chair: Professor David Burn, Secretary: Miss Nancy Rios