The Athena Swan Charter is a framework used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research.
It was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM). In 2015, the Charter expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law, in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students to address gender equality more broadly.
Professor Catherine Kelly, Head of the Law School, said:
“I am thrilled the Law School has been awarded the Athena Swan Silver Award, which recognises our commitment to gender equality and equity, diversity and inclusion. These values are at the core of all our work, policies and strategies for the future.
“The application was the product of exceedingly hard work by the Athena Swan working group, led by Dr Chathuni Jayathilaka, Professor Sally Sheldon, and Dr Peter Dunne. I'd like to personally thank them for their dedicated and inspirational leadership on this work, while also thanking the wider Athena Swan team for all the incredible research, work and time they put into supporting this achievement.
“With our Silver Award application, we acknowledge the important steps taken by our School since 2018, and set out our ambitious plans for the future, renewing our commitment to incorporating and living the principles of the Athena Swan Charter in all aspects of our University of Bristol Law School community.”
Dr Chathuni Jayathilaka,Director of the Law School’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee, said:
“I am delighted the Law School has received the Athena Swan Silver Award. The application process enabled us to evaluate our School constructively, acknowledging the significant progress that we have achieved over the past five years, and setting out a clear focus on identifying, addressing and resolving challenges where they remain.
“The University of Bristol Law School community is vibrant, diverse and inclusive. We’re proud to receive the Silver award, recognising our work and our plans, laid out in our application and implemented over the past years, to benefit all of our students and staff in the School in future years.”
Implementation of our Athena Swan action plan will be undertaken by our Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity Committee, led by our EDI Director, Dr Chathuni Jayathilaka.