Athena SWAN Silver Award
Athena SWAN is a national gender equality charter issued by the Equality Challenge Unit, which recognises work to improve equality and diversity in universities and colleges. It does this with a data-driven, evidence-based award system that assesses an organisation regarding: representation, progression of students into academia, journey through career milestones, and working environment for all staff.The award system expanded its scope in 2015 to include all staff: academic, administrative and technical.
The Faculty of Engineering was awarded a Silver level award in 2011, which was renewed in 2014.
Download our 2014 Silver Submission (PDF)
This was in recognition of the sustained support the Faculty provides for staff and students with caring responsibilities, and who work or study part time. The Faculty strives to provide the facilities and a working environment that allows staff and students to prosper and is committed to a culture of equal opportunity and diversity.
Monitoring staff and student data
Data is central to the Athena SWAN Charter. In 2016/17, women represented 28% of our undergraduate students, 38% of our postgraduate taught, and 25% of our postgraduate research students across the Faculty. These figures compare favourably to national averages in the sector, but Athena Swan ensures we routinely monitor and evaluate how the culture of our Faculty can be improved to benefit everyone.
The Faculty Staff Survey was last conducted in November 2016 to find out how staff feel about their workplace. The Faculty Athena Group is pleased to report that nearly all areas have seen improvement since the previous survey in 2014 and that there was no statistical difference in responses when analysed by gender. Staff at the University can access the results and report of the staff survey here: Athena SWAN Workspace.
Gender Equality
The University of Nottingham has a strong history in supporting female academics’ careers through a Women in Science Engineering and Technology Group (WinSET) since 2005. This group has since expanded to include representation from all Faculties in the University under the name Gender Equality Nottingham (GEN), and all staff. The group meets regularly to share knowledge and take action to improve the culture across the institution.
To find out more, including contact information for Faculty Athena Group Members, staff can access our pages on Workspace.
For any queries contact:
Dr Leah Ridgway
Faculty of Engineering
The University of Nottingham
University Park
NG7 2RD
e: leah.ridgway@nottingham.ac.uk