The transformed UK Athena Swan Charter is on schedule to be launched on Wednesday 30 June, following endorsement from both the Athena Swan Governance Committee (ASGC), the group of independent institutional experts which provides assurance, advice and guidance to the Advance HE Board on matters relating to the Charter’s enhancement and the Advance HE Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee – a sub-committee of the Advance HE Board.
The transformed UK Athena Swan Charter takes forward the recommendations of the Independent Review bringing about:
- A paradigm shift from prescription to autonomy and flexibility
- A reduction in administrative burden, including a halving of data requirements
- Advance HE moving from assessment or judging, to a developmental and supporting approach.
Professor Geoff Layer, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Wolverhampton, Chair of the Advance HE EDI Committee and an Advance HE Board member, said, “The Committee is delighted to endorse the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter. We are very impressed with the rigour and thoroughness of work of Advance HE, the Athena Swan Governance Committee and the Athena Swan Transition Group in reaching this important milestone.
“We have every confidence that the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter will deliver on the promise of a ‘paradigm shift from prescription to autonomy and flexibility’ which will enable applicants to focus on aspects of gender equality that are a priority for them. The Charter features inclusivity for people of all gender identities, and is widened to include staff in Professional, Technical and Operational directorates. We welcome the new processes which will significantly reduce the administrative burden while maintaining the rigour of the Charter.
“We would like to thank everyone involved: the Independent Review Steering Group whose recommendations have led to these changes; the many hundreds of staff in the sector who have engaged with and influenced the transformation; the Athena Swan Governance Committee, led by Professor Parveen Yaqoob, who have worked so hard on behalf of institutions to expertly guide the work, the Athena Swan Transition Group through which members of the Independent Review Steering Group contributed their depth of understanding on the findings from the Independent Review; and of course to the Advance HE Athena Swan team for their dedicated and detailed approach.”
Professor Parveen Yaqoob, the ASGC Chair and Deputy Vice-Chancellor, University of Reading, said, “As one of our committee members remarked, ‘the devil has been in the detail’ to deliver the transformed Charter and to ensure its practical application for users. The ASGC Committee, which was configured to ensure expert representation from across the sector so that Advance HE members remain at the heart of the transformation, is now delighted to endorse the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter.
“The ASGC is also pleased to see Advance HE’s commitment to increasing support for applicants and taking a more developmental role across the Charter process. As we launch the new framework, we are already making plans for monitoring and evaluation. The long-term goal for success for Athena Swan is evidence that the sector views the Chartermark as an improvement tool rather than an end product, is open to sharing good practice, and is genuinely committed to dismantling inequality.
“I believe this Charter is a great step forward in the drive for gender equality in higher education and research institutes.”
Advance HE is now in the final stages of finalising the updated Charter before the launch on 30 June 2021, when it will share:
- the revised Charter Principles (previously shared)
- the new award criteria
- completely revised application materials including forms, data requirements and application guidance
- the new departmental culture survey
- information and guidance to support members to transition to the revised Charter.