National Award Highlights University’s Commitment to Gender Equality

The University of Lincoln, UK, has been recognised for its dedication to gender equality with a Silver Athena Swan Award.

Run by Advance HE, the Athena Swan Charter is a framework used worldwide to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research. Expanded in 2016, the gender charter now covers students and staff from all disciplines, including professional services, and ensures intersectional consideration of gender inequalities with race, disability, and sexual orientation.

Lincoln received its first Bronze Athena Swan Award in 2014. 10 years on, the institution celebrates its first institutional silver award,  and the progress this represents towards gender equality. The University is one of a select number of UK universities to achieve a silver award.

Professor Belinda Colston, Strategic Lead for EDI at the University of Lincoln, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have received our silver award, and the recognition that the University has made demonstrable progress against our key gender-related concerns identified in 2014.

“Our success in increasing the representation of women in senior roles, exceeding national benchmarks, is something we should be particularly proud of. This represents a huge amount of work, and my thanks go to all of the staff and students who contributed to making our bid for silver a success.”

The Advance HE Athena Swan panel commended the research-driven approach to EDI in the Eleanor Glanville Institute, commenting: “The University of Lincoln has undertaken an impressive process to overhaul its approach to EDI and culture change, which is now research-informed and intersectional. The Eleanor Glanville Institute, the University’s central EDI function represents an innovative approach to driving culture change”. The panel also congratulated the University on a “strong Silver award and encourages the University to work towards achieving a Gold award at the next opportunity”.

Find out more about the Eleanor Glanville Institute.