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UL’s Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences has been recognised with an Athena SWAN Silver Award, an accreditation of the Athena SWAN Charter; a framework aimed at promoting gender equality in higher education and research.

Engagement with the Athena SWAN Charter is a key pillar of Ireland’s national strategy for gender equality in higher education, with the Athena SWAN Bronze, Silver and Gold Awards serving as testament to institutions’ and departments’ success in advancing the charter’s goals.

The faculty was applauded for its “strong application”, which was viewed as “excellent in its inclusivity and comprehensive approach”, with “clearly identified and justified priority areas”.

Dr Sandra Joyce, Dean of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences at UL, said: “I am delighted that the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences has been recognised with an Athena SWAN Silver Award. This accolade reflects our shared commitment to advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive academic environment. It is a meaningful acknowledgment of the hard work, reflection and collaboration that has gone into building a more equitable space for all. 

“I am very grateful for the work of the faculty Athena SWAN committee, the UL Human Rights, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (HREDI) Office, and especially to Dr Maria Hickey for her leadership of our application.”

The Athena SWAN Charter launched in Ireland in 2015 with a specific remit to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine employment. The charter has since been expanded to include arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law, as well as staff working in professional, managerial and support roles.

The framework also now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, including consideration of the experience of trans staff and students, as well as the underrepresentation of men in particular disciplines.