Two schools at Trinity have won Athena Scientific Women’s Academic Network (Athena Swan) silver awards, while another three have retained their bronze awards.
The School of Physics and the School of Psychology have progressed from bronze to achieve silver Athena Swan awards.
Meanwhile, the School of Genetics and Microbiology, the School of Law, and the School of Social Work and Social Policy have each retained their Athena Swan bronze awards.
These awards will remain in place for four years, in line with the redeveloped Athena Swan Ireland Charter introduced in 2021.
The Athena Swan Charter is an initiative managed by Advance HE (formerly the UK Equality Challenge Unit).
The aim of the charter is to “support and transform gender equality within higher education and research” and to promote and recognize “inclusive working practices” which demonstrates an institution’s “commitment to an equitable working environment”.
The charter was first introduced to Ireland in 2015 with support and funding from the Higher Education Authority (HEA), and was redeveloped to reflect the findings of a national consultation in 2021. The attainment of an Athena Swan award is a HEA requirement for research funding eligibility.
Trinity now holds a total of 20 Athena Swan Awards, with 14 Bronze and 4 Silver Awards across academic departments, a Bronze Award given to Trinity Global as a professional unit, and a Silver award for the institution as a whole.
Provost Linda Doyle welcomed the news and thanked the heads of the awarded schools for their “leadership and collaboration”.
“These awards reflect the tremendous dedication and commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion within our Schools,” she said.
She also acknowledged the “invaluable support” of Trinity’s Diversity, Inclusion and Equity (DEI) office and human resources team.
Trinity is set to highlight its involvement with Athena Swan Ireland as it hosts the national awards ceremony this November in collaboration with Advance HE.
