University and three schools achieve Athena SWAN awards

The University of Plymouth and three of its schools have attained Athena SWAN bronze awards in recognition of a commitment to improving gender equality.

As well as the institution-wide award, it was announced today that the School of Computing, Electronics and Mathematics, the School of Engineering and the School of Psychology had also met the rigorous standards demanded by the Athena SWAN charter.

The awards are a validation of the University’s action plan for improving representation of women in higher education and research.

The University has been an Athena SWAN member since 2009, an early signatory of the charter that sets out ten key principles around gender equality and representation in academia. In May 2015, the charter was expanded to cover a broader range of subject areas and roles, including professional services, together with commitments to consider intersectionality and support trans staff and students.

The awards represent further success for the University, following bronzes for the School of Health Professions and the School of Nursing and Midwifery gained in April this year, and a silver for the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry (then Plymouth University Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry) and bronze for the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences in April 2017.

Professor Dafydd Moore is University Executive Group Lead for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. He said:

“This is a fantastic achievement for the schools and the University, and I’d like to thank all the colleagues whose efforts have resulted in this recognition. A huge amount of work goes into these submissions, but that time is well spent in identifying the ways in which we can help the University and all our staff reach their full potential.”