Athena SWAN
The Athena SWAN Charter is an international framework that supports universities and research institutions in advancing gender equality and building inclusive working and learning environments. SSESW is proud to hold an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, recognising our ongoing commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. This award reflects the work of our staff and students to make the School a place where everyone feels valued, supported and able to succeed. We are now working towards a Silver Award, continuing to strengthen and expand our actions to promote inclusion across all areas of our School.
Learn more about the Athena SWAN CharterOur Self-Assessment Team (SAT) brings together academic staff, professional services staff and students. The team meets regularly to review progress, identify challenges and agree on actions that promote equality and inclusion across the School.
Our Self-Assessment Team includes representatives from our academic and professional services staff.
| Allely Albert – Lecturer (Criminology) | Joe Allen – Lecturer (Education) |
| Dina Belluigi - Professor (Education) | Mary Louise Corr- Senior Lecturer (Criminology) |
| Mel Engman - Senior Lecturer (Education) | Jenny Ferguson – Lecturer (Education) |
| David Hayes - Professor (Social Work) | Kevin Hearty – Senior Lecturer (Criminology) |
| Leanne Henderson - Lecturer (Education) | Alison MacKenzie – Professor (Education) |
| Siobhan McAlister – Reader (Criminology) | Danielle McIlroy – Lecturer (Social Work) |
| Suzanne Mooney - Senior Lecturer (Social Work) | Daniel Muijs - Head of School and Professor (Education) |
| Joanne O'Keefe - Research Fellow (Education) | Patricia Reilly - School Manager (Professional Services) |
| Sultan Turkan – Senior Lecturer (Education) | Ulrike Vieten – Senior Lecturer (Sociology) |
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Suzanne Agnew
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Lucy Olivia Ruth Austin
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| Stella Lee | Claire Mulholland |
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Connie Shaw
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The Athena SWAN Charter aims to recognise the advancement of gender equality through representation, progression and success for all.
Every year at our summer Graduation we award Athena SWAN prizes for the two best pieces of undergraduate work on gender. The 2025 prize winners were Abigail Stevenson (Criminology) and Evelyn Micallef (Criminology).
We are proud of the progress made across SSESW in creating an inclusive, welcoming environment for all staff and students.
Recent actions include:
- Introducing all-gender toilets, a maternity and nursing room, and a quiet space for reflection and wellbeing.
- Supporting initiatives to tackle period poverty across the School.
- Establishing a SWAN Student Group to champion equality and inclusion through student-led projects.
- Raising awareness of the importance of pronouns to help everyone feel recognised and respected.
- Introducing Bystander Intervention training for students across all programmes to raise awareness of harassment and sexual violence.
- Inviting staff to attend training on LGBTQIA+ Awareness delivered by Cara-Friend
Report + Support webpage provides staff and students with a confidential platform to access support and report concerns related to bullying, harassment, discrimination, or violence within the university community.
Learn more
If you are a staff member or student, you can share your feedback through the Staff or Student Hub. The SSESW Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team reviews all responses to help shape our ongoing equality and inclusion work.
Together, we continue to build a School community where everyone feels respected, valued and able to thrive.