Posted: 26th October 2018

We are very proud that the Department of Computer Science has retained an Athena Swan Bronze Award. 

The Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research. The charter was later expanded to recognise work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

Head of Department Prof. Pete Jeavons commented ‘A Bronze award means the Athena Swan Panel is satisfied we have a solid foundation for eliminating gender bias and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff.  Retaining this award is a real achievement – the panel is tough. Let’s celebrate the achievement of the award, which recognises that we really are committed to equality.’

We are very proud of what we have achieved so far in terms of supporting career development and enhancing the environment for our staff and students.  The Athena SWAN Charter provides a framework against which we can identify our strengths and our gaps and has helped us to examine and plan for what we can do over the next 4 years to make the Department of Computer Science an even greater place to work and study.  This is an important award for us to hold, as it demonstrates to current and future staff and students that we are committed to equality, to identifying and implementing good practice and that people who work and study with us will do so in an inclusive environment which appreciates the significance of diversity.