What is the definition of academic and research staff?
Staff responsible for the planning, direction and/or undertaking of academic teaching and/or research. This includes staff with teaching only, research-only, and teaching and research contract functions. Irrespective of contract type (fixed term; hourly paid, permanent; CID), all staff employed by the institution should be included in an application and associated consultation.
What is the definition of professional, managerial and support staff (PMSS)?
PMS staff may include administrators, technical staff, professionals, maintenance staff, or any other staff employed by the institution whose primary contract function does not relate to the delivery of academic teaching and research. Irrespective of contract type (fixed term; hourly paid, permanent; CID), all staff employed by the institution should be included in an application and associated consultation.
Why does the Athena Swan Ireland framework require the publication of institutional action plans on the institution’s website?
Publication of the action plan on the institution’s website ensures that staff, students and the wider community are aware of the institution’s equality objectives and how these will be achieved. Making the action plan a public document promotes transparency and accountability and serves to affirm the institution’s commitment to acting to address any inequalities that exist.
Publication of the action plan will also enable institution to comply with the Horizon Europe Gender Equality Plan (GEP) eligibility criterion, which states that a GEP must be ‘a formal document published on the institution's website, signed by the top management and actively communicated within the institution'.
When should I publish my action plan?
Action Plans for award holders should be available on institutional websites on or before the public announcement of awards. This date will be communicated to you when you receive your award outcome. You may choose to publish your submitted action plan before this, as part of your communications with your community about the application process. In either case, you should ensure that you republish the action plan when updates or revisions are made, and that your action plan remains on the website throughout the award period.
It is not a requirement that departments/professional units publish their action plans but applicants are encouraged to do so to support understanding of equality objectives and actions across their community.