The 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.
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.
Athena SWAN in Ireland
In a major national initiative supported by the Higher Education Authority, the Athena SWAN Charter was launched in Ireland in early 2015.
The Athena SWAN Charter is now open to the 7 universities, 14 institutes of technology and the Royal College of Surgeons. In order to receive an award, they must commit to a set of principles and then receive awards based on whether they meet certain targets, subject to “a robust process of self-assessment” and peer review.
For more information, please follow the following link: Athena SWAN in Ireland
Awards in Ireland
The University of Limerick and Trinity College Dublin have become the first Irish Universities to receive recognition from an international organisation for their efforts to increase academic gender equality.