Athena SWAN Award for School

The University is proud to announce the School of Philosophical, Anthropological and Film Studies as the latest School to achieve an Athena SWAN Bronze Award.

This takes the University’s current Athena SWAN Awards total to 18, which includes one Institutional Bronze, 14 School Bronze awards, and three departmental Silver awards.

Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Awards recognise commitment to the advancement of gender equality in academic, professional and support roles, and recognise departments and institutions taking action to identify and overcome barriers to career progression for all.

Assistant Vice-Principal for Diversity, Professor Ruth Woodfield, said: “I want to congratulate all of those involved in achieving this important award for the School of Philosophical, Anthropological and Film Studies. The Bronze Award is great news not only for the School but also for the University and a reflection of the hard work and commitment to ensuring gender equality at St Andrews. This award represents a great deal of hard work for staff within the School but we should also recognise the tremendous amount of support the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion team, headed by Sukhi Bains, provide to Schools to ensure the best possible submissions. 

“At an institutional level, the University of St Andrews has made important progress with diversity being placed at the heart of our Strategic Plan 2018-2023. Initiatives such as an in-house mentoring programme for senior academic women; gaining Carer Positive Employer status; achieving LGBT charter recognition, the first Scottish university to have that recognition; implementing core meeting hours; and establishing a University nursery ensure that, as an institution, the University places equality, fairness and diversity at the heart of everything.

“Our 2018 institutional bronze Athena SWAN award created a belief in change, and I’m delighted to see the School of Philosophical, Anthropological and Film Studies is being recognised for its solid foundation and commitment to eliminating gender bias and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff.”

Kathryn Harrison-Graves, Advance HE Director for Membership and Accreditation, said: “I warmly congratulate every single awardee. It is vital that we keep up the momentum in enhancing gender equality across the whole sector, and these awards evidence that effort.

“Equally, Advance HE is determined to facilitate and support the sector in achieving its EDI goals and, as we have recently announced, we are working hard to ensure the Athena SWAN Charter is even stronger and fitter for the future.”