What is the Athena Swan Charter?

The Athena SWAN Charter was established by the Equality Challenge Unit in 2005 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. We are proud that the majority of our STEMM Schools hold Athena SWAN Awards.

In May 2015 the charter was expanded to recognise 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.

We are strengthening our commitment to gender equality through the aim to increase the proportion of Faculties and Schools achieving the Athena SWAN Awards for their various achievements, initiatives and actions in recruiting and promoting women.

We currently hold a Bronze Institutional Award, and our Gender Inclusion Group takes responsibility for its implementation and monitoring the progress of actions.

For questions related to the Athena SWAN Charter at the University of Bristol please contact the Staff Inclusion Team.