Gender equality
Addressing underrepresentation of all genders across different disciplines in higher education
Tackling gender inequality
Gender equity and the underrepresentation of all genders across different disciplines is an ongoing challenge in higher education. As long-standing members of the Athena Swan charter, the Â鶹´«Ã½ is committed to tackling this inequality, wherever it occurs.
This page outlines our approaches and the actions we are taking to address gender disparity in Higher Education as well as showcasing Â鶹´«Ã½'s extraordinary story makers and giving you the tools and information to support us in our fight to tackle gender inequality.
Athena Swan
The is a national initiative that recognises commitment to advancing women's representation and tackling gender inequality in higher education and research. Originally designed to target improvement for women within science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) subjects and senior positions, it has now been extended to include arts, humanities, social science, business and law (AHSSBL), as well as professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students.
Universities and institutions that can prove they are committed to the advancement and promotion of women in STEMM, AHSSBL and support services can apply for membership.
As an institution, we have been a member of the Athena Swan charter mark since 2009 and in 2023, reached the milestone of holding an Athena Swan award for every school in the University.
In March 2024, we achieved an institutional-level Silver award for the first time.
Athena Swan
Â鶹´«Ã½'s extraordinary story-makers
-
How Simran Kooner is championing inclusivity in STEM
-
Estilla Hefter is enhancing lives with social technology
-
Influencing a sea-change against plastic pollution with Imogen Napper
-
Girls into Geoscience: breaking down the gender barriers
-
How Tina Joshi is exploring answers to antibiotic resistance
-
Why Dr Lucy Obolensky has set up the Global Health Collaborative
-
Polly Macpherson inspires creative people to achieve their goals
-
Hunting for meteorites with Natasha Stephen
-
How Rebecca Lee's passion for creativity inspires her followers
-
How Doaa Althalathini is harnessing women’s entrepreneurial spirit
-
How Alice Mosley is influencing change for a greener world
Learn more
Our University Women’s Network and Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team have put together a range of resources to help everyone learn how to address gender inequality in a special Gender Equality Toolkit.
This toolkit comprises a range of resources handpicked by our Women's Network to inform and entertain you, including films, documentaries, podcasts, books (both fiction and non-fiction), articles, websites and more.
(University log-in required)
Speak up
The Â鶹´«Ã½ is proud to be a safe, welcoming and diverse community – our staff, students and anyone interacting with us should feel comfortable being who they are.
We believe that bullying, harassment and discrimination are never okay. Any allegations of this nature (which includes sexual violence, abuse or hate) are taken incredibly seriously.
Staff, students, contractors and members of the public can report incidents they have experienced or witnessed using our Speak Up tool and these can be reported anonymously if you wish.
Stay safe overseas
Travelling overseas with a protected characteristic can sometimes be challenging and add additional barriers to the safety and enjoyment of your trip. Working with Health and Safety, our Staff Networks and UPSU we have a dedicated travel advice page to help you when planning a trip.
Stonewall Diversity Champion
Race equality charter – working towards