The Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to supporting and advancing women studying and working in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) in higher education and research institutes.

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.

Queen’s has won various Athena SWAN Awards at an Institutional and School level and continues to work with staff and students to apply the Charter’s principles across the University.

The Queen’s Gender Initiative is a group of female Queen’s University staff which helps drive forward change on gender specific issues.

They do this by:

• Providing a channel for female views on gender issues
• Acting as a driver for change by raising awareness of specific gender issues in respect of organisational policy, procedure and practices with senior management of the University
• Helping deliver practical, on the ground, changes as part of the Athena SWAN Charter, a national scheme which recognises and celebrates gender focussed practices in higher education establishments.