Background to Athena Swan
Recognising advancement of gender equality: representation, progression and success for all.
In June 2013, Trinity Centre for Gender Equality and Leadership (TCGEL) established a network of HEIs in Ireland and Northern Ireland along with key stakeholders, the Higher Education Authority (HEA); Science Foundation Ireland (SFI); Irish Research Council (IRC); Irish University Association (IUA) to explore the feasibility of pursuing the Athena SWAN process. The seven Irish Universities and stakeholders met first in October 2013 and went on to collaborate as the Athena SWAN Ireland Committee that made a joint proposal to the ECU for an extension of AS to the Irish HEI sector. This proposal led to the launch of the Athena SWAN Charter in Ireland in February 2015 by the Minister for Education and Skills, Ms. Jan O'Sullivan TD.