What is Athena Swan?
The Athena Swan Charter recognises good practice in promoting gender equality in higher education. Established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths, and medicine (STEMM) employment, the charter is now being used across the globe to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.
In 2015, the charter was expanded to cover all subjects and to include a focus on professional and support staff, as well as recognition of issues faced by transgender people. In March 2020, an Independent Review of the UK Athena Swan Charter concluded with wide ranging recommendations to transform the charter to make it more relevant, flexible, and responsive to universities and departments’ needs.
The Transformed Athena Swan Charter
The Transformed Athena Swan Charter was launched on 30 June 2021, following extensive consultations with the sector. Key features of the new framework are:
- Flexibility and autonomy for institutions and departments to focus on their own priorities.
- Revised award criteria with clarified expectations.
- A developmental approach, providing stronger support and feedback.
- Reduced data reporting requirements that lessen administrative burden.
Further details:
How is RGU involved with Athena Swan?
The university is committed to the Athena Swan Charter principles.
In February 2025, RGU officially achieved bronze status under the Athena Swan Charter following extensive work to enhance equality for all genders and intersecting identities across our community. This award recognises the efforts made and endorses our action plan to continue to ensure further progress. Our self-assessment team will now monitor the delivery of the action plan in the hope to obtain a silver status award by 2030.
Robert Gordon University is committed to embedding and mainstreaming equality, diversity, and inclusion across its functions. Athena Swan offers a valuable framework for introducing policy as well as cultural changes that create a better working environment not just for women but for people of all genders.
Meet our self-assessment team
- University Secretary and Vice Principal Corporate Services - Chair
- HR Manager - Human Resources
- Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Adviser - EDI Adviser
- Lecturer - Sex Equality Action Group Rep
- Programme Development Manager - Equality Champion (Sex)
- Principal Lecturer - Equality Champion (Sex)
- Principal Lecturer - Equality Champion (Pregnancy and Maternity)
- Research Development Coordinator - Equality Champion (Pregnancy and Maternity)
- Project Coordinator - Equality Champion (Sexual Orientation)
- Internal Communications Officer - Equality Champion (Gender Reassignment)
- Principal Lecturer - Equality Champion (Race)
- Associate Professor - Equality Champion (Age)
- Academic Strategic Lead - Staff Race Network (Chair)
- President, Education and Welfare - RGU Union Rep
- Head, Research Strategy Culture and Policy - Research Rep
- Lecturer - Volunteer consultation participant
- Associate Dean for Research - EDI Academic Lead, PALS
- Executive Assistant (University Secretary and Vice Principal Corporate Services) - SAT Secretary
- Senior Procurement Adviser - Chair, Disability Action Group
Contacts
Contact us via equality@rgu.ac.uk if you have any queries or feedback about our submission.