SDG 5: Gender Equality 2025 Report
SDG 5 - Gender Equality
Achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls
The University is committed to gender equality through inclusive policies, support for women in academia, and participation in initiatives such as the Athena SWAN Charter. We provide support for female students, including first-generation learners, and promote empowerment through student-led networks, mentoring, and partnerships addressing underrepresentation. Our research centres lead impactful projects including on gender-based violence, and female entrepreneurship, both locally and globally.
Athena SWAN Bronze Award
The University has been a member of the Athena SWAN Charter for gender equality since 2015. The Charter was developed to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in research and academia. It recognises the advancement of gender equality through representation, progression and success for all.
In 2020 the University renewed its Bronze Athena SWAN Award for Gender Equality, in addition, four of the five schools that make up the University hold a departmental Athena SWAN Bronze Award, and the School of Applied Sciences holds a departmental Athena SWAN Silver Award. The proportion of female academic staff working at Grade 9 and above is currently 35% and the University is working through these mechanisms to increase it.
Learning for students
First-generation female students
One of the founding institutions of the University of Huddersfield was the Huddersfield Female Educational Institute, established in 1846. As one of the pioneers of its kind, it played a significant role in advancing educational opportunities for women. Even today, the University is amongst the leaders in offering opportunities to women. Of the women who started a degree in 2023/24, 1,349 of those for whom data were available) were from families where their parents had no experience of higher education (full-time equivalent figures). In that year, in disciplines associated with medicine, women outnumbered men, representing 76% of the graduates in those areas.
Tracking student access measures and graduation rate
The University systematically monitors and tracks women's application, acceptance and entry rates, study completion, and graduation rates. This long-standing commitment to gender equality is now embedded within the Access and Participation process, overseen by the Office for Students.
Additionally, as part of the Athena SWAN application and renewal process, the University and its School’s measure and monitor both application and attainment data for women at subject level, setting targets where there are significant disparities between men and women.
Public and business engagement
Yorkshire Sound Women Network
The University actively supports initiatives such as the Yorkshire Sound Women Network, a network which promotes opportunities in traditionally male-dominated fields such as sound and music technology. Through these efforts, we contribute to addressing under-representation and encourage women to apply for courses in subjects where they have historically been underrepresented.
Alumni
Our graduates are committed to driving gender equality in their chosen fields, for example, one of our law graduates has set up their own company Legal Lynk, aimed at increasing opportunities for women in the legal profession, through accessible and inclusive events.
Ask for Angela
The University’s Women’s Network, run by the Students Union, works with the ‘Ask for Angela’ scheme and local venues in the community to help women feel safe on nights out.
Operations
Policies and action to support women’s success at university
The University has established formal policies on non- discrimination against women and transgender individuals. In addition, maternity and paternity policies are in place to support women's participation in the workplace. To further assist students and staff with childcare needs, the University engages with a variety of local childcare providers, enabling families to choose options that align with their individual lives and commitments.
As a partner organisation to the Women’s Higher Education Network (WHEN), we are committed to advancing gender equality, both within the University and within the higher education sector. The network serves as a collaborative platform for sharing experiences, promoting equity, and providing opportunities for networking, professional development, and mentorship across institutions.
The University’s Students Union runs a Women’s Network open to all students who identify as women from all backgrounds and experiences. They work to make student life better and build a supportive community for women on campus. Campaigns the group have focused on include ‘Reclaim the Night’, ‘Equal Pay Day’, ‘End Period Poverty’ and ‘This is Not Consent’.
Our research
The University has several research groups and centres which support the objective of gender equality.
Centre for Applied Childhood, Youth and Family Research
The Just Futures Centre (the Centre for Applied Childhood, Youth and Family Research) works at local, national and international levels to both understand the challenges and co-produce the solutions needed to bring about more just futures for children and young people, families, communities and society. Current projects include ‘Domestic Abuse and Child Protection’ (2022-24) funded by the Nuffield Foundation, and ‘Evaluating Models of Care, Best Practice and Care Pathways for Women Who are Dependent on Drugs’ (2022-24) supported by the NIHR.
Research project: Global Disaster Resilience Centre (GDRC)
A recent GDRC project entitled ‘An assessment of entrepreneurial resilience among women entrepreneurs in South Asia’, has helped to promote the empowerment of female-run small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the area.
Find further information
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
We’re proud of our culture of diversity and inclusion and are proud to be finding new ways to strengthen it as we move forward.
Athena SWAN for gender equality
As a bronze member of the Athena SWAN Charter, we ensure that gender equality work is distributed appropriately.
Gender Equality in our staff networks
Our staff networks provide a safe and inclusive space for those who share a protected characteristic, with support from our EDI Manager.
Sustainable Development Goals
Click to explore our other sustainable development goal pages and get to know how we're working towards these at the University of Huddersfield.