Congratulations to Edinburgh Napier University’s School of Computing (SoC) and the School of Engineering and the Built Environment (SEBE), both awarded bronze awards at yesterday’s Athena SWAN awards ceremony at Imperial College, London.

Athena SWAN awards ceremony July 2017

Athena SWAN is the Equality Challenge Unit’s charter for gender equality in higher education and research institutes. As part of its work, the Equality Challenge Unit grants bronze, silver and gold Athena SWAN awards to recognise work undertaken to address the barriers that may impede the career progression of both students and staff in such organisations.

SoC award

Yesterday’s ceremony celebrated those who made successful Athena SWAN award submissions in November 2016. My colleague Dr Laura Muir led the work of the SoC Athena SWAN self assessment team (SAT), and Alistair Stupart and Dr Kate Durkacz led that of SEBE. I served on both SATs in my capacity of Edinburgh Napier University’s institutional Academic Champion for Athena SWAN.

The achievement of these departmental bronze awards at first attempt builds on Edinburgh Napier University’s successful achievement of the institutional bronze Athena SWAN award (also at first attempt) in 2014. We submitted a further two departmental applications for the April 2017 deadline, and will hear the outcome of these in the autumn.

Dr Laura Muir travelled to London yesterday to represent the University at the awards ceremony. Having championed the efforts of the great team in SoC Laura was very pleased to be invited up to the stage to collect a certificate and trophy.

Dr Laura Muir at the Athena SWAN awards ceremony