The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (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 across the globe to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.
Advance HE members can apply for institutional and departmental Athena Swan awards recognising their gender equality efforts.
Access Athena Swan member resources
To access Athena Swan Charter's application guidance, forms, templates and other resources, please log in or join the Athena Swan Member Network Group on Connect (members access only). These resources are only available to members via Connect.
If you are already a member, you can log in here, or sign up to access the group here.
Applying for an Athena Swan award?
If you are applying for an Athena Swan award from January 2023 onwards, please use the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter materials which include a range of resources and guidance to support your application.
The Post-May 2015 application forms are no longer available for use and have been removed from the website to avoid confusion but can be requested from the Charters team by emailing athena.swan@advance-he.ac.uk.
93% of Champions believe that the Charter has had a positive impact on gender issues in their university, department or research institute.
The Athena Swan Charter:
- helps institutions achieve their gender equality objectives
- assists institutions to meet equality legislation requirements, as well as the requirements and expectations of some funders and research councils
- uses a targeted self-assessment framework to support applicants identify areas for positive action as well as recognise and share good practice
- supports the promotion of inclusive working practices that can increase the retention of valued academics and professional and support staff, demonstrating an institution’s commitment to an equitable working environment
Advance HE’s Athena Swan Charter covers all gender identities in:
• academic roles in STEMM and AHSSBL
• professional, managerial and support staff roles
• professional, managerial and support staff roles
In relation to their:
• representation
• progression of students into academia
• journey through career milestones
• working environment for all staff
• progression of students into academia
• journey through career milestones
• working environment for all staff
Transformed Athena Swan Charter principles
Transformed Charter principles were published in November 2020. Members are invited to consider and commit to these new principles ahead of submitting their first transformed charter application.
Athena Swan and Advance HE Membership
In the UK Advance HE Membership provides access to Athena Swan. Choose how to access our membership.
More about Athena Swan
Applying for an Athena Swan Charter award
Transform gender equality in your institution through an Advance HE Athena Swan award.
Good Practice Initiatives
Athena Swan good practice initiatives in higher education institutions.
Patrons
Bringing their academic expertise and backgrounds in gender equality to support and champion the Athena Swan Charter principles.
The transformed UK Athena Swan Charter
New and existing applicants can apply to work towards the enhanced version of the Charter from 30 of June 2021.
The new panel for the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter
As part of the new Charter transformation there was revised roles for panel members.
Gender Advancement for Transforming Institutions
UK Athena Swan members to partner with Indian higher education institutions and research institutes on an exciting new project.
Athena Swan Charter review
More information about the review of the Athena Swan charter in the UK.
For an information pack and resources, please log in or join the Athena Swan Member Network on Connect.
e-Learning courses
Our e-Learning courses have been carefully designed by our sector experts to support staff and students within higher education with EDI.