Athena SWAN
Athena SWAN Gold AWARD
Four consecutive Golds
The School of Biological Sciences is a recipient of the prestigious Athena SWAN Gold Award in recognition of our sustained commitment to gender equality.
The School was first awarded Gold in 2012 and became the first School of Biological Sciences in the UK to achieve this national recognition. The School renewed its Athena Swan Gold Award in 2025, making it a fourth, consecutive Gold for the School.
Commenting on the latest round of Athena Swan awards:
Interim Head of School, Professor Nigel Scollan
"We are absolutely delighted to have achieved a remarkable fourth consecutive Athena SWAN Gold Award. The School was first awarded Gold in 2012 and became the first School of Biological Sciences in the UK to achieve this national recognition.
Colleagues, both past and present, have worked to create an environment that is committed to equality and one in which all staff can thrive and encourages excellence, whether that be in teaching, research or technical and professional support."
Professor Lisa Connolly, Swan Co-Champion
“This continued repeat of Athena Swan gold renewal success is a great achievement for the School of Biological Sciences, demonstrating our innovative commitment to and engagement with Swan through continued progress and development of new actions."
VIEW OUR GOLD AWARD APPLICATION FORM AND SUBMISSION FEEDBACK BELOW:
SBS 2019 Gold Renewal Action Plan (Currently under review)
PROMOTING EQUALITY IN THE SCIENCES
The Equality Challenge Unit's (ECU) Athena SWAN (Scientific Women's Academic Network) 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. Queen's University Belfast, was a founder member of the Athena SWAN Charter.
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.
The School of Biological Sciences is fully committed to the aims of this Charter.
Athena Swan Self Assessment Team
Enhancing our workplace environment
Dedicated to advancing gender equality, our Self-Assessment Team works tirelessly alongside various working groups to implement and refine our Athena SWAN action plans. Our team structure facilitates focus in critical areas such as Career Progression, Education, Flexible Working, and Work Culture and Campus Life, ensuring a comprehensive approach to enhancing our workplace environment.
NEWS AND EVENTS
USEFUL RESOURCES
TIPS FROM QUB AND OTHER SUCCESSFUL ATHENA SWAN AWARDEES
Athena SWAN awardees share tips for success
In this short film, Athena SWAN awardees highlight the challenges they faced in their applications and offer top tips for success. The film includes an interview with Sarah Dickinson, Head of Equality Charters at the Equality Challenge Unit, who explains what the judging panel expects to see in applications at each level.
FURTHER INFORMATION ON SWAN
View the ECU Athena SWAN Charter Website
STUDY AT THE SCHOOL
View our Website