Athena Swan

The women’s committee encourages economic departments to apply for the Athena Swan Charter, promoted by Advance HE, to recognise both the commitment towards and achievements in gender equality.

The charter recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women, which covers women, trans (and men where appropriate) staff in academic roles,  professional and support staff, and students.

The charter requires departments to assess their own progress in relation to representation, progression of students into academia, career milestones and the working environment for all staff and students. For more information please see: https://www.ecu.ac.uk/equality-charters/athena-swan/

The committee are keen to support linking departments wishing to apply with those who have already experience with the process.  

A list of current award holding economics departments and schools can be found here https://www.ecu.ac.uk/equality-charters/athena-swan/athena-swan-members/. Current holders include Birkbeck, East Anglia, Edinburgh, Oxford, St Andrews and York.

An evaluation of the effectiveness of the award in promoting women’s careers can be found here:

https://www.ecu.ac.uk/publications/an-impact-evaluation-of-the-athena-swan-charter-2019/

Gender Equality and Positive Action: Evidence from the UK, by Danula K. Gamage and Almudena Sevilla

Women in Economics: A UK Perspective, by Danula K. Gamage, Almudena Sevilla, Sarah Smith