Introduction

Athena Swan logo Since September 2005 the University has been a Member of the Athena SWAN Charter

The Athena SWAN Charter is a recognition scheme for UK universities and their science, engineering and technology (SET) departments. It aims to assist the recruitment, retention and progression of women in SET.

Keele University is committed to the principles of the Charter and values equality and diversity across its workforce.  To support these principles and to promote the role of women in SET, the University has undertaken an internal self-assessment process and has been successful in gaining a Bronze SWAN Award.  The University continues to strive towards higher levels of recognition.
 

girl2  The Charter is the means chosen by the Athena project to speed its progress towards the achievement of its aims: ‘the advancement and promotion of the careers of women in science, engineering and technology in higher education and research, and to achieve a significant increase in the number of women recruited to top posts’.

Keele University sees membership of the Charter, with its bronze, silver and gold SWAN recognition awards, as working towards sustaining equitable working environments enabling universities to identify themselves as employers of choice, not only to their staff, but to students, stakeholders, research councils and industry.

University is awarded a Bronze SWAN!

The University of Keele’s Bronze SWAN Award was renewed in May 2009 for a further three successive years. In summary, the judges were pleased to see the progress which has been made at Keele and the plans to move forward.  The University first received a Bronze Swan Award in October 2006 in light of its commitment to assisting the recruitment and retention of women in SET.

 Bronze award  

Silver Award  Schools awarded Silver SWAN

The School of Life Sciences was awarded a Silver SWAN Award in May 2009 for three successive years. The Judging Panel were pleased to see that the School had used the submission process as an opportunity for an in-depth survey of staff and planned to make this an annual exercise.  The Panel also noted that Schools within the Faculty meet regularly to compare work practices and share good practice. In conclusion, the School of Life Sciences were congratulated on an impressive submission

The School of Physical and Geographical Sciences was delighted to have its Silver SWAN award renewed in 2010 for a further three years for its commitment for excellence in recruiting and progressing women in science, engineering and technology (SET). Their employment policies have enabled the appointment of career young talented women who will be encouraged to rise in the profession.  The Athena SWAN panel were especially impressed with the School’s appointment of an Athena SWAN champion and their role in promoting Athena SWAN activities within the School.

Further Information

Further information about Athena SWAN is available here.