Athena Swan Bronze award
The Athena Swan Charter is a scheme that recognises excellence in SET employment in higher education. The development of the Athena SWAN Charter was made possible by the support of the UK Resource Centre for Women in SET and with funding from the European Social Fund under the Equal initiative. The University of Southampton was one of the first signatories to the Charter when it was launched in June 2005.
In 2006 the University was successful in its bid for the Bronze Athena Award. WiSET members participated in the self assessment process by the university, representing those
- with personal experience of balancing home/caring responsibilities and work/part time/flexible working/career breaks
- from a dual career family (the partner does not have to be from a SET background)
- with recent experience of the institutions/departments recruitment and or promotion processes
- at different stages on the career ladder and particularly from those in early and mid career
- with departmental/management responsibilities/university responsibilities for eg staff development/ equal opportunities
Feedback from our application was most positive and we are now making our application for the Silver Athena Award.
Left to right: Lord Rees, President of the Royal Society;Jane Hart Chair WiSET 2004-5; Professor Joe Hammond, dean Faculty of Engineering Science and Mathematics; Andrea Russell, Chair WiSET 2003-2004.