What is Athena SWAN?
Athena SWAN (AS) is a charter originally designed to promote fairness in the University sector in terms of gender equality but which has more recently expanded to promote fairness in terms of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). More information is available below but in brief, AS provides a structure to help Universities and Departments within Universities to identify and fix potential issues and to create a positive environment for all. Trinity College, along with other third level institutions, has signed up to the Charter and currently has a Silver award at the Institutional level. Many research funding bodies require Athena Swan participation to apply for funds.
How does it work?
There are 3 award categories that can be applied for.
Bronze: Identify problems based on quantitative analysis. Identify and implement solutions.
Silver: Demonstrate good practices and the impact of changes implemented using evidence and measurable effects. Future planning.
Gold: Serves as a role model in the discipline, College and beyond.
Where are we up to?
B&I was awarded a Bronze award in 2021. We have been implementing the Action Plan that was devised as part of that process. The next application is due to carry out surveys and focus group discussions.If you have any queries on the process or would like to become more actively involved please email Nóirín (nicabhan@tcd.ie) or clair.gardiner@tcd.ie.
What can you do?
Participate when asked. We will be embarking on preparation with data collection/surveys etc. in the academic year 2024_25.Why bother?
Apart from the fact that it is a socially responsible thing to do, there is a well-recognised and documented problem in terms of female recruitment and retention in academic posts. In the School of Biochemistry and Immunology, approximately 70%of our undergraduate students are female but only 30% of academic staff are female. We have an obligation to identify potential barriers that might be encountered on the road to an academic/research career in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology. We also want to create a fairer environment for those further along their respective career track in B&I.
Finally, many grant authorities are now making it mandatory for a Department if to have an Athena Swan award if a PI from that Department wants to apply for grant funding.
What groups are we focusing on?
We are primarily focussing on 4 key groups for this application. These are
Ph.D. students
Post-doctoral researchers
Professional Support Staff (admin, technical and some research)
Academic staff
Who is undertaking this?
The School is undertaking this under the direction of the Head of School. There is a self-assessment team (SAT) convened with representation from all of the key groups. The SAT is chaired by Prof. Clair Gardiner. Key members include Noirin Nic a Bhaird and David Loane who are part of the key organising committee. We have constituted our Self assessment Team (SAT) which now consists of the following members:
B&I Athena SWAN SAT:
Chair: Clair Gardiner
School Manager: Nóirín Nic a’ Bháird
EDI Champion: David Loane
Head of School: Andrew Bowie
Academic staff: Jean Fletcher, Mary Canavan, Craig McEntee
PSS staff: Barry Moran, Kathy Banahan
Postdoctoral researchers: Sinead O'Rourke and Aaron Douglas
PhD candidates: Louise Zielke, Orlaith Henry