Psychology Strikes Silver with Coveted Athena SWAN Award

The School of Psychology at the University of Lincoln has been recognised for its outstanding commitment to gender equality with the award of a coveted national charter. Lincoln’s School of Psychology has received the Silver Athena SWAN award, it was announced this week (Monday 18th May 2020), which is an esteemed accreditation from Advance HE, the official organisation promoting excellence in Higher Education.

The Athena SWAN Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within HE and research. Established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment, the charter is now being used internationally to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

As an institution, the University of Lincoln champions gender equality across the board, and the School of Psychology’s Equality Committee, led by Dr Kirsten McKenzie, has been leading the way with its approach to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). It has played a key role in launching new initiatives to support staff and students, which have been successful for the School and many of which have been rolled out across the University, such as a ‘Parenting Peers’ programme for staff with new children and a new gender demographic policy.

Dr McKenzie is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology and Chair of the School of Psychology’s Equality Committee. She said: “This silver award is the culmination of a huge amount of effort from all of our staff and we are incredibly pleased and proud of this result. Given that the current global situation has itself brought issues of equality, diversity and inclusion into the spotlight, we intend to continue building upon our success to ensure that we provide a supportive environment for everyone.”

Speaking about the latest round of awards, Kathryn Harrison-Graves, Advance HE Director for Membership and Accreditation, said: “I warmly congratulate every single awardee. It is vital that we keep up the momentum in enhancing gender equality across the whole sector, and these awards evidence that effort.

“Equally, Advance HE is determined to facilitate and support the sector in achieving its EDI goals and as we have recently announced, we are working hard to ensure the Athena SWAN Charter is even stronger and fitter for the future.”

For more information on the work of the Psychology Equality Committee, visit the website.

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