The Athena Swan transformation is well underway and is benefitting from invaluable feedback from across the sector. As part of our ongoing work to transform the Athena Swan Charter, we held a series of well-received events, chaired by members of the Athena Swan Governance Committee, where we provided an update on progress and engaged with approximately 100 colleagues in the higher education and research sector from across the U.K.
Attendees were asked to share their thoughts about the recently published draft criteria and underpinning expectations. This wealth of valuable feedback has now been collated for consideration by the Athena Swan Governance Committee. Alongside the Athena Swan Governance committee, our expert subgroups, and the Athena Swan Transition Group, it will work towards shaping the final version of the award criteria and underpinning expectations, as well as informing on the ongoing development of the application materials and guidance.
A small sample from some of the key feedback provided includes strong support for:
- The additional clarity and detail provided through the underpinning expectations
- Focus on applicant priorities
- The inclusion of criterion ‘F’ relating to the structures and processes underpinning gender equality work
- The consideration of gender as a spectrum and the inclusion of intersectionality, with a note that more detail on these expectations would be helpful
While also seeking that we present:
- Greater detail in relation to the progression of expectations from Bronze, through to Silver and Gold awards
- Further clarity for faculty-level applicants, applicants from small departments and independent research institutes
On behalf of our team here at Advance HE, I would like to thank everyone who has been a part of the transformation journey so far. It was a pleasure to hear from so many of you in person. We value your input and encourage interested colleagues to join us at our next series of roundtable events coming up on the 22nd and 24th March. In these forthcoming sessions you will have the opportunity to offer feedback on our development of application materials.
We look forward to continuing our work together in co-creating your Athena Swan Charter.
Best regards,
Ruth