The Faculty of Economics is pleased to announce that it has been formally recognised for its commitment to equality by achieving the Athena SWAN Bronze award for the first time.
The Athena SWAN Charter is an initiative established by the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) designed to recognise and encourage good practice in gender equality in Higher Education. It was first started in 2005 to acknowledge progression in advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM). 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 transgender staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.
In 2019, the Faculty of Economics completed a self-assessment, led by Dr Elisa Faraglia, covering gender balance amongst staff and students, opportunities for career progression and the quality of the working environment. An application documenting these findings and the resulting proposals and strategies for improvement was submitted in November 2019 for the Athena SWAN Bronze Award. Work has already commenced to implement the proposed action plan which will ensure equality in representation, progression and success for all.
“ I am absolutely delighted that the Faculty of Economics received the Athena Swan Bronze award, in my view it recognises our commitment and the actions that have and will be taken to promote gender equality within the Faculty.
We are fully committed to achieve a gender balanced and equal Faculty and we are also deeply indebted to everyone within the Faculty -- especially the Self-Assessment Team -- for all the effort that made this possible.
The Equality and Diversity committee will make sure that the Faculty will achieve in the near future the targets we pose for ourselves to be fully equal and inclusive. "
(Professor Leonardo Felli, Chair of the Faculty)
For more information on the Athena SWAN award see their website.
