The Faculty of English has earned an Athena SWAN bronze award (2024) for our work on advancing gender equality. We are committed to the eight key principles in the Athena Swan Charter and to adopting these principles within our policies, practices, and culture:

1. adopting robust, transparent and accountable processes for gender equality work, including:
   • embedding diversity, equity and inclusion in our culture, decision-making and partnerships, and holding ourselves and others in our institution/institute/department accountable.
   • undertaking evidence-based, transparent self-assessment processes to direct our priorities and interventions for gender equality, and evaluating our progress to inform our continuous development.
   • ensuring that gender equality work is distributed appropriately, is recognised and properly rewarded.
2. addressing structural inequalities and social injustices that manifest as differential experiences and outcomes for staff and students.
3. tackling behaviours and cultures that detract from the safety and collegiality of our work and study environments, including not tolerating gender-based violence, discrimination, bullying, harassment or exploitation.
4. understanding and addressing intersectional inequalities.
5. recognising that individuals can determine their own gender identity, and tackling the specific issues faced by trans and non-binary people.
6. examining gendered occupational segregation, and elevating the status, voice and career opportunities of any identified under-valued and at-risk groups.
7. mitigating the gendered impact of caring responsibilities and career breaks, and supporting flexibility and the maintenance of a healthy ‘whole life balance’.
8. mitigating the gendered impact of short-term and casual contracts for staff seeking sustainable careers.

You can see the successful application and action plan here.

For further information please contact the Chair of the Faculty’s Athena SWAN team, Dr Mina Gorji