Athena Swan, the higher education and research sectors gender equality charter, was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women and is now being used across the globe to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.
2020 saw the publication of an Independent Review of Athena Swan and in the period that has followed we have worked closely with the sector to progress the creation of a transformed charter and associated development services to ensure that work towards gender equality continues to be effectively supported.
As part of this transformation work we are delighted to be opening recruitment for a number of new roles to help deliver the updated Charter. The expanded and reformed Athena Swan Charters team will work together to ensure the Charters success and support institutions in their pursuit for gender equality.
These new roles ensure that Advance HE has the capacity and strength to:
- deliver on the Independent Review and put the recommendations into practice
- offer effective strategic advice and guidance to members in relation to gender equality,
- provide credible and effective developmental support for the preparation of Athena Swan applications and progress against action plans
- operate a high quality and independent peer review service.
Kathryn Harrison-Graves, Advance HE Director for Membership and Accreditation, says, “This is an exciting and important time to be joining out Charters team. Through these roles we intend to deliver not only a streamlined, effective Charter but also enhanced support for members, including: increased relationship management, strategic advice and developmental support through a named Charter contact for each member institution; professionalised quality assurance processes for panellist training and standardisation; development of enhanced operational systems to support a streamlined, effective customer experience.”