Applications for ECU’s (Equality Challenge Unit) Athena SWAN awards are accepted at the end of April and November each year. Departments can apply for a bronze, silver or gold award.
Bronze department award
To apply for the bronze award, departments must:
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demonstrate that, in addition to implementing institution-wide policies, the department is working to promote gender equality
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use quantitative and qualitative information to identify and address challenges particular to the department and discipline
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plan future actions based on this assessment that include information on activities that are already in place and what has been learned from these
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develop a structure, including a self-assessment team, to carry proposed actions forward.
Silver department award
To apply for the silver award, departments must demonstrate:
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particular challenges and plan activities for the future
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that action has been taken in response to previously identified challenges
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the impact of the actions implemented.
Gold department award
To apply for the gold award, departments must:
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demonstrate a substantial and well-established activity and achievement record in working towards equality in career progression in STEMM
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show initiative to increase numbers of women students
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demonstrate beacon activities in gender equality to the wider community.
Guidance for departments
Departments thinking of applying for an Athena SWAN award should contact the EDI and Athena SWAN Manager, Isabella Chan, for guidance and for details of the next steps, three months in advance of each deadline.
The EDI and Athena SWAN Manager will support departments in setting up the self-assessment team (SAT), will provide advice, support and information, will attend the self-assessment team meetings in an advisory capacity, and will read draft submissions, providing feedback for final consideration.
Guidance for departments beginning the Athena SWAN process is available from the ECU website. Information and guidance on how to apply for departmental Athena SWAN awards are also available from the Athena SWAN website.