School of Health & Society achieves national equality award
The University is delighted to announce that the School of Health and Society has achieved the Bronze Athena Swan award as recognition of the commitment to gender equality.
This award adds to the University’s ever-growing collection, which includes awards in the School of Science, Engineering and Environment, and the Salford Business School, as well as the 2020 University Bronze Athena Swan award.
Advance HE’s Athena Swan framework is used within higher education and research across the globe, and covers women (and men where appropriate) in: academic roles in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM), arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), professional and support colleagues and trans colleagues 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-level application involved a detailed analysis of the student data including undergraduate and postgraduate admissions, degree attainment, employability, and staff data including appointments, promotions, research profile, career development, and career breaks, as well as policies and practices. Based on the analysis of student and staff data, a comprehensive four-year action plan was developed to ensure the continuation of good practice.
The application was led by Senior Lecturer and Head of Academic Quality, Helen Matthews, who said: “As Head of Athena Swan for the University I am delighted to see my own School achieve the Bronze Athena Swan accreditation.
“I would like to say a big thank you to everyone who contributed to the application and particularly to colleagues on the School Athena Swan Committee for their on-going support.
“This award recognises our efforts to achieve gender equality across the School, the impact we have made so far, and our plans for the next five years. We have highlighted where we need to work harder and the School is committed to delivering on the action plan”.
Professor Margaret Rowe, Dean of the School of Health and Society, said: “I am delighted to celebrate the School of Health and Society’s Athena Swan Bronze award. Our ambition is to create an inspirational, inclusive learning and teaching environment, that values and supports all staff and students.
I am committed to the values and principles of the Athena Swan Charter and leading the development of a fully inclusive culture”.
Dr Vicky Halliwell, Deputy Dean of the School of Health and Society, said: “I am delighted that we have achieved the Bronze Athena Swan award and would like to thank everyone in the School who contributed and helped to make this happen. Across the School of Health and Society, we are committed to delivering on our action plan and planning for a Silver application”
The award will run until August 2026. Find out more about our Athena Swan application and action plan.
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