Athena Swan Bronze awards for English and Music

The Faculties of English and Music have been awarded an Athena Swan Bronze award which recognises commitment to the advancement of gender equality in higher education and research institutions.

The Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.

In May 2015 the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

English and Music join the History Faculty, which has already received a Bronze award.

Professor Ros Ballaster, English Faculty Board Chair, said: “I’m thrilled to see that the creativity, commitment and diligence of our Faculty has been recognised in this bronze award. The hard work continues as we implement the changes we have identified as important to seeing through our commitment to equality and inclusion alongside excellence. It was a genuine pleasure to work with colleagues, staff and students since we began our self-assessment in November 2017 to this shared aim. We know ourselves and each other much better as a result.

“The self-assessment team was led with imagination and energy throughout by Dr Sophie Ratcliffe, fully supported by the professional staff in the Faculty and Divisional teams. I look forward to being involved in implementing the actions, seeing the significant change in our culture and governance we have committed to, and monitoring our progress toward our goals.”

Professor Gascia Ouzounian, who led the Athena Swan application for the Music Faculty, said: “This represents a major step forward in identifying and addressing gender inequalities within the Faculty. I am delighted that the Faculty has received an Athena SWAN Bronze Award and would like to thank everyone involved for their dedication and support.

"I am proud of the work of the Self-Assessment Team and the extensive dialogue we achieved and feedback we received from our community throughout the process. We look forward to implementing our action plan, which I believe will bring about genuine progress. I am grateful for the support of the entire Faculty, and special thanks go to Kathryn King (DPhil candidate in Music) and Isabelle Pitt from the Equality and Diversity Unit for their excellent work throughout."

The Athena SWAN Charter is based on ten key principles. By being part of Athena SWAN, institutions are committing to a progressive charter; adopting these principles within their policies, practices, action plans and culture. You can read the ten key principles on the Advance HE website.