The Athena SWAN Charter evolved from work between the Athena Project and the Scientific Women’s Academic Network (SWAN), to advance the representation of women in science, technology, engineering, medicine and mathematics (STEMM).  With the support of Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) and the UKRC, the Charter was officially launched in 2005, with the first awards conferred in 2006. The Charter has grown consistently from its inception.

The School of Electronics, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science (EEECS) is proud to hold Athena SWAN Silver award

EEECS is committed to the promotion of equality of opportunity and to creating and sustaining an environment that values and celebrates the diversity of its staff and student body.  In particular, the School is committed to supporting the career progression of women in science, engineering and technology (SET) in line with the principles of the Athena SWAN Charter which are:

• To address gender inequalities requires commitment and action from everyone, at all levels of the organisation
• To tackle the unequal representation of women in science requires changing cultures and attitudes across the organisation
• The absence of diversity at management and policy-making levels has broad implications which the organisation will examine
• The high loss rate of women in science is an urgent concern which the organisation will address
• The system of short-term contracts has particularly negative consequences for the retention and progression of women in science, which the organisation recognises
• There are both personal and structural obstacles to women making the transition from PhD into a sustainable academic career in science, which require the active consideration of the organisation

EEECS Silver Swan Application Redacted 2019

For more information, visit the Athena Swan website

Queen's Gender Initiative

The Gender Initiative provides a channel for women’s views on priority issues for women to come to the fore. This forum also acts as a route through which women’s responses to policies, practices and procedures can be made known to senior organisational managers.

Reflective assessment teams in schools engage with the gender equality agenda in their specific contexts. They develop and implement action plans to address equal opportunities issues. Regular meetings between the Gender Initiative Director and Vice Chancellor along with other senior managers keep communication flowing between all groups.

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Meet Our SWAN Team

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

The diversity and inclusion team is helping to create a culture that is inclusive at all levels, in every system and process. here, you will find a confidential source of advice and support to individual staff members on equality, diversity and inclusion issues as well providing the appropriate equality, diversity and inclusion training for staff.

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Athena SWAN Application 2019

See our Silver Award winning application

Beacon Activities