The University of Southampton is a founding signatory of the Athena Swan gender equality charter and holds an institutional Silver award. As a signatory, we recognise the specific challenges that affect men and women in academic careers, which leads to fewer women at senior levels of higher education. We are committed to addressing these issues, to maximise the potential of all our people.
We are delighted to have successfully renewed our Athena Swan Silver award in 2022. We’re proud to be one of only 20 UK universities to hold this level of award (at the date of renewal). A Silver award recognises a significant record of activity and achievement by the institution in promoting gender equality and in addressing challenges across different disciplines.
What does this mean for me?
As part of its submission for an Athena Swan award, the University developed an action plan for addressing known gender equality issues. This first occurred in 2006 and has been regularly reviewed and updated with each renewal submission.
The development of comprehensive action plans, with responsibility shared across the University, will mean a coordinated approach to understanding and addressing issues such as unblocking talent pipelines, attracting and appointing more diverse job candidates, fostering greater job security, enhancing flexible working practices and ensuring that our family friendly policies are truly inclusive. The action plan that accompanies our 2021 submission is structured into themes to address these areas between now and 2027.
How many awards does the University hold?
The University was awarded Silver in October 2016, following ten years of work at bronze-level. Our institutional award is complimented by departmental awards, held by faculties and schools. Departmental awards recognise their work to implement our policies and widen awareness of gender equality in their local area. For some faculties, this could potentially be linked to research funding too.
Our departmental awards
| Award level | Faculty/School | Lead contact(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business and Law (AHSSBL) | ||
| Bronze | School of Economic, Social and Political Sciences | Dr Valentina Tonei |
| Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) | ||
| Silver | School of Biological Sciences | Dr Salah Elias |
| School of Chemistry | Dr Lynda Brown | |
| Faculty of Medicine | Professor Roxana Carare Professor Paul Elkington |
|
| School of Physics and Astronomy | Dr Andy O'Bannon | |
| Bronze | School of Electronics and Computer Science | Dr Reena Pau Professor Chris Freeman |
| School of Engineering | Dr Jennifer Muggleton Professor David Richards |
|
| School of Geography and Environmental Science | Dr Andrew Power | |
| School of Health Sciences | Dr Michelle Myall | |
| School of Mathematical Science | Dr Helen Ogden Professor Giampaolo D'Alessandro |
|
| School of Ocean and Earth Science | Dr Clive Trueman | |
| Zepler Institute | Professor Kevin MacDonald | |
What is a departmental award?
Most of our Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) faculties or schools have at least a Bronze Athena Swan award, while our Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences, Business and Law (AHSSBL) schools are in the process of forming self-assessment teams to submit for an award. You can follow the links below to learn more about Athena Swan work in each faculty or academic unit, or speak to the person leading that activity.
What is a self-assessment team (SAT)?
The University, and each faculty and school that applies for an award, forms a self-assessment team (SAT). SATs are made up of key stakeholders across the area being assessed, to undertake the work of assessing ourselves against previous commitments, developing new action plans, and writing our submission. Each SAT will continue to meet after submission in some form to oversee delivery of the action plan, and review its impact.
How can I get involved?
We have an Athena Swan Forum with membership from each of the self-assessment teams across the University. All individuals interested in gender equality are welcome to join as well. The Forum aims to promote discussion of gender-related issues in the University, through a mailing list and regular networking meetings in the University, and to share learning between teams participating in Athena Swan. Employees from all job families and faculties are encouraged to join.
Please email [email protected] if you would like to submit feedback on the submissions, gender equality in the University or join our Athena Swan Forum.
Links to external websites
The University cannot accept responsibility for external websites.
Other University of Southampton sites
Last update: 11 March 2022 [AH]