Pride as Uni receives campus-wide Athena Swan Silver Award for gender equality

The University of Huddersfield has been awarded the Athena Swan Silver Award at institutional level, recognising its sustained and impactful commitment to advancing gender equality.

The Athena Swan Charter, run by Advance HE, is a globally recognised framework that supports and transforms gender equality in higher education and research.

Institutional Silver status for the University acknowledges significant progress and a strong track record of achievement, demonstrating that gender equality initiatives are delivering measurable impact and are embedded across the organisation.

This latest award marks a major milestone in the University’s journey, recognising years of dedicated work to identify and address barriers, embed inclusive practices, and create meaningful cultural change for staff and students.

It recognises the University’s evidence-based approach to advancing gender equality, including the development and delivery of a comprehensive action plan informed by extensive data analysis and consultation. This work spans key areas such as:

• Recruitment, progression and representation of staff.
• Student access, success and outcomes.
• Career development and leadership pathways.
• Inclusive culture, wellbeing and working practices.

Central to the University’s success has been the work of its Self-Assessment Team, which brings together colleagues and student representatives from across the institution to drive forward change and ensure accountability.

Importantly, the institutional Silver Award also highlights the University’s role in supporting and enabling progress at a local level, working in partnership with its constituent academic Schools as they develop and sustain their own Athena Swan awards.

Vice-Chancellor of the University, Professor Bob Cryan commented: “I'm very grateful to colleagues and students who have worked together on this achievement, and to Athena Swan for this recognition of the University's progress towards equality of opportunity for all. We are looking forward to building further on this success.”

The University has been a member of the Athena Swan Charter since 2015, when it achieved an institutional Bronze Award for gender equality. The Charter was developed to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine research and academia. It recognises the advancement of gender equality through representation, progression and success for all.

The School of Applied Sciences has held a departmental Athena Swan Silver Award since 2018, and all the other Schools currently hold departmental Athena Swan Bronze Awards.