Faculty receives Athena SWAN Bronze award
The University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) has received an award in recognition of its commitment to gender equality.
The Faculty of Health and Wellbeing is among the most recent institutions and departments to receive an Athena SWAN award from the Equality Challenge Unit, in recognition of its commitment to tackling gender inequality in higher education.
The Bronze level accolade makes it the first faculty in the University to receive an Athena SWAN Award and reflects the implementation of change and the demonstration of impact in addressing gender inequality. The University signed up to the Athena SWAN Charter in 2005 and achieved its Institutional Athena SWAN Bronze Award in April 2014.
"When the Faculty was established in 2014, our vision was to develop a culture where all our staff and students experience equality of opportunity and are able to thrive."
Professor Nigel Harrison, Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing and Athena SWAN Lead, said: “I am absolutely delighted our Faculty has received this award. When the Faculty was established in 2014, our vision was to develop a culture where all our staff and students experience equality of opportunity and are able to thrive. This award is testament to our success in this endeavour and it is excellent news the Equality Challenge Unit has recognised our many years of hard work.
“Going forward, I am delighted to pledge my continuing commitment to further embedding the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter within our Faculty, and moving forward with the implementation of our action plan.”
Dr Lois Thomas, Reader in Health Services Research and Athena SWAN Faculty Project Manager, said: “Our Faculty is recognised across the University as living and breathing Athena SWAN values and being at the forefront of implementing the Athena SWAN Charter principles. This award is testament to the engagement of the whole Faculty.
"Our Faculty is recognised across the University as living and breathing Athena SWAN values and being at the forefront of implementing the Athena SWAN Charter principles."
“I would particularly like to thank our brilliant and dedicated Self Assessment Team who have worked tirelessly to make this happen. I am looking forward very much to working with you all on the next stage of our journey.”
Ruth Gilligan, Advance HE’s Athena SWAN manager, added: “The submission clearly reached the required standard for a Bronze award and my team and I are keen to support you with your future work. We would like to congratulate you on this achievement, and look forward to your continued involvement with the Athena SWAN Charter and awards.”
For the November 2017 round, there were 114 submissions for Bronze awards, with 66 being successful at that level (57.9% success rate). The Faculty team is looking forward to receiving the award at Swansea University on the 16 July.