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About Athena Swan

The Athena Swan Charter was established in 2005 by the UK’s Equality Challenge Unit, and has been run by Advance HE since 2019. Originally the Charter set out 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.

Since May 2015, the charter has recognised work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

The Athena Swan Charter covers women (and men where appropriate) in:

  • academic roles in STEMM and AHSSBL
  • professional and support staff
  • trans staff and students

In relation to their:

  • representation
  • progression of students in academia
  • journey through career milestones
  • working environment of all staff

Once an organisation signs the Charter it can apply for an award. Heriot-Watt University has held an award since 2013. To achieve and retain its award the University has to regularly reflect on its current culture, practice and processes and draw up an Action Plan to deliver improvements. We aim to deliver our current University Action Plan by November 2020. Since the University has an award, its Schools have been able to undertake the work required to apply for their own awards, allowing them to consider local and discipline-specific issues.