What is Athena Swan?
Advance Higher Education’s (HE) Athena Swan Charter was established 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. The charter has since expanded to recognise work undertaken in the disciplines of arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL). This expanded remit includes staff in professional and support roles, students, and recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just the barriers to progression that affect women.
Oxford is dedicated to this charter, and as a department, we are preparing our first submission for a bronze award in late 2025. We understand that achieving this award is just the beginning of a continuous journey to drive change throughout the five-year award period. However, we are confident that our action plan will effectively tackle the barriers faced by our staff and students, leading to meaningful and lasting impact.