Athena SWAN
This significant achievement for the School was announced not long after the University was named the first university on the island of Ireland and only the second in the UK to achieve the gold level of the prestigious higher education award for its work improving gender equality.
Athena SWAN Charter
The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research. Established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment, the Charter is now being used across the globe to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.
The Athena Swan Charter:
- helps institutions achieve their gender equality objectives
- assists institutions to meet equality legislation requirements, as well as the requirements and expectations of some funders and research councils
- uses a targeted self-assessment framework to support applicants identify areas for positive action as well as recognise and share good practice
- supports the promotion of inclusive working practices that can increase the retention of valued academics and professional and support staff, demonstrating an institution’s commitment to an equitable working environment
The School's application was led by Swan Co-champions, Dr Deirdre Gilpin and Prof Wafa-Al Jamal.
Receiving news of the Award, Dr Gilpin commented:
“We are delighted to have received this wonderful award, which recognises the School’s commitment to gender equality over many years. The School received its first Athena Swan Award in 2010 and, since then, we have been working to embed gender equality in the working life of the School.
We were the first School of Pharmacy in the UK and on the island of Ireland to be awarded a Silver Award in 2014 and are delighted now to translate that to Gold in 2024. This award is an acknowledgement of how far we as a School have come, and that the principles of fairness and inclusion are firmly embedded within our department.”
View our Gold Award application form:
The School of Pharmacy is strongly committed to embedding the principles of Athena SWAN and advancing equality, diversity and inclusion across all areas of School life. In 2021, our Swan Committee evolved into the School Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee (SEDIC), reflecting our recognition of intersectionality and the importance of supporting staff and students across all protected characteristics. While delivery of our Swan Action Plan remains central, SEDIC works collaboratively across EDI areas to promote inclusive culture and best practice.
| SEDIC Membership | |
|---|---|
| Prof Wafa Al-Jamal (SWAN Champion / EDI Chair) | Dr Aileen McKenna |
| Mr Conan O'Rourke | Oonagh Bell |
| Ms Aine McGuckin | Prof Dimitrios Lamprou |
| Ms Melissa McAllister | Dr Carole Parsons |
| Prof Karl Malcolm | Dr Louise Carson |
| Dr Thomas Thompson | Dr Anjali Pandya |
| PGR Rep: Shauna Murray | UG Rep: Hamza Ibrahim Mohammad Awawdeh |
| UG Rep: Malaka Mohamed Abdelfattah Moh Abdelsalam | |