Athena SWAN
About Athena SWAN
The Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) Charter recognises and celebrates good employment practice for women working in science, engineering and technology (SET) in higher education and research. More information is available on the Athena SWAN website.
Charter
The beliefs underpinning the Charter are:
- The advancement of science, engineering and technology (SET) 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 university or research institution which is committed to the advancement of the careers of women in SET 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 SET has since been recognised by a Bronze Award, awarded in September 2009.
Bronze Award
An Athena SWAN Bronze award demonstrates that an institution as a whole has a solid foundation of policies and practices to eliminate gender bias and an inclusive culture that values female staff. The University was awarded the Bronze Award in September 2009, and our application (PDF, 168KB) shows our commitment to the six Athena SWAN principles at a senior level.
The Bronze award evidences that the University is committed to the journey towards advancing women in science, engineering and technology (SET). As a starting point, we have identified from our baseline data (PDF, 19KB), areas where the greatest attrition lies or where women are underrepresented, so that interventions we make are targeted.
The University has formed an Athena SWAN Self Assessment Team to lead and support this process and to monitor progress of our Action Plan. This plan identifies five strategic areas which will help to address the areas of gender inequality in SET: Support structures; Visibility and perception; Communication; Pay 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. The Self Assessment team will be able to support you with your application.
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.
- Mrs Veryan Johnston (chair)
- Professor Vicki Bruce
- Mrs Julie Bullimore
- Dr Jonathan Goss
- Dr Chris Phillips
- Professor Judith Rankin
- Dr Candy Rowe
- Dr Elizabeth Scanlon
- Professor Selina Stead
- Dr Catherine Tetard-Jones
Team profiles (PDF, 52KB)