The Open University (OU) has successfully renewed its Bronze status for the Athena SWAN Institutional Award.
The award, presented by Advance HE, recognises the University’s continued commitment to supporting and transforming gender equality in higher education and research, and achieving continued change at the OU through an action plan.
The School of Engineering and Innovation also received a Silver Athena SWAN award, while the School of Environment, Earth & Ecosystem Sciences and the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport* received its first Bronze award and the School of Life, Health & Chemical Sciences renewed its Bronze status.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tim Blackman, said: “I am delighted that The Open University has renewed our Athena SWAN Bronze Award, alongside the Schools achieving their Departmental awards. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is a strategic priority for the OU, led by our Dean for EDI, Professor Marcia Wilson, and the Athena SWAN institutional action plan will ensure we continue to work hard to place gender equality at the heart of everything we do.
“Congratulations to all my colleagues who contributed to the OU’s success in this recent round of awards.”
The University’s institutional submission was led by Professor Clem Herman. She said: “The Athena SWAN awards recognise the work of many teams and colleagues to ensure that there are no structural or cultural obstacles to the advancement of women in all roles and grades at the OU.
“The OU’s commitment to gender equality is strengthened through our School awards, and it is wonderful to see the hard work of all involved recognised through the external, peer-reviewed process of Athena SWAN.”
The Athena SWAN Charter is managed by Advance HE. It was developed in 2005 to support the advancement and promotion of the careers of women in science, engineering, technology, mathematics and medicine in higher education and research. In 2015, it expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law, and in professional and support roles.
For further information on Athena SWAN at the OU, contact: athena-SWAN@open.ac.uk
*updated 13 July 2022 to include mention of the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport receiving a bronze award.
