Gender equality
Advance HE's Athena Swan Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.
In May 2015 the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.
The Department of Biology has held an Athena Swan award since 2006 (Silver in 2006, Gold since 2014, with the Gold award most recently renewed in 2024). It was the first Biology Department in the UK to receive a Gold award and the Department continues to demonstrate its commitment to the UK Athena Swan Principles.
Our ethos is to support all staff and students to reach their full potential.
We believe that poor workplace practices disproportionately discriminate against women, and that good practices benefit all and allow all our staff and students to reach their full potential.
Biology Athena Swan Contacts:
Pegine Walrad, Biology Athena Swan Academic Lead - pegine.walrad@york.ac.uk
Angela Lipscomb, Head of Faculty Operations - angela.lipscomb@york.ac.uk
Athena Swan
Find out about the action plan that we committed to as part of our Athena Swan Gold Award renewal application in 2024:
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