What is the Athena Swan Charter?
The Athena Swan Charter is a charter mark used worldwide that recognises the advancement of gender equality in academia, encompassing representation, progression and success for all.
The Athena Swan Charter was originally established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.
In May 2015 the charter was expanded to cover gender equality in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL) disciplines, as well as to include a focus on professional and support staff members working in the Higher Education sector, and on the issues facing trans staff and students. The Athena Swan Charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.
Athena Swan Principles
In supporting the Athena Swan Charter, Northumbria University has signed up to the 8 key principles; we embed these principles within our policies, practices, action plans and culture. We commit to:
1. adopting robust, transparent and accountable processes for gender equality work, including:
a. embedding diversity, equity and inclusion in our culture, decision-making and partnerships, and holding ourselves and others in our institution/institute/department accountable
b. undertaking evidence-based, transparent self-assessment processes to direct our priorities and interventions for gender equality, and evaluating our progress to inform our continuous development
c. ensuring that gender equality work is distributed appropriately, is recognised and properly rewarded.
2. addressing structural inequalities and social injustices that manifest as differential experiences and outcomes for staff and students.
3. tackling behaviours and cultures that detract from the safety and collegiality of our work and study environments for people of all genders, including not tolerating gender-based violence, discrimination, bullying, harassment or exploitation.
4. understanding and addressing intersectional inequalities.
5. fostering collective understanding that individuals have the right to determine their own gender identity, and tackling the specific issues faced by trans and non-binary people because of their identity.
6. examining gendered occupational segregation, and elevating the status, voice and career opportunities of any identified under-valued and at-risk groups.
7. mitigating the gendered impact of caring responsibilities and career breaks, and supporting flexibility and the maintenance of a healthy 'whole life balance'.
8. mitigating the gendered impact of short-term and casual contracts for staff seeking sustainable careers.
Awards
We obtained an institutional Silver Athena Swan Charter Award in June 2025. Prior to this we held a Bronze Award from 2015.
An ‘Executive Summary of our Silver submission’ and our ‘2025-2030 Gender Equality Action Plan’ are available at the links below. Please note that our action plan remains a live document.
Executive Summary of our 2025 Silver Award submission
2025-2030 Gender Equality Action Plan (please contact us if you require an accessible version)
We now also have Athena Swan Bronze Awards for all academic departments/faculty:
Bronze Award for the:
Gender Equality Forum
Our Equality Forums aim to help drive debate, listen and propose action to shape the University’s approach to inclusion and EDI action plans and Charters. They facilitate engagement with the wider University community, providing a platform and focus for inclusion work. They host discussions, speaker events and activities which contribute to developing cultural competency and raising awareness of different identities and experiences. Membership includes student representation, so their voice is heard within these Forums.
The Gender Equality Forum is chaired by Dr Heather Robson, Dean of Academic Transformation Projects and our Senior Sponsor for Gender Equality.
For more information on the charter, please visit the Athena Swan and Advance HE website.
