The Athena Swan Charter is a rigorous peer-reviewed external framework that recognises the commitment shown by universities and their individual Schools and Departments to advancing gender equality. The Charter expanded its focus in 2015 from STEM disciplines to include arts, humanities, social science, business and law, and included the experiences of both academic and professional and support staff (PSS) for the first time, as well as students at departmental level.

To achieve Gold status, applicants must evidence longitudinal improvements in gender equality and sector-leading gender equality practice.

Queen’s has held an institutional Gold Athena Swan Award since 2024, making it the first university on the island of Ireland - and one of three in the UK to achieve this level of recognition for its outstanding work in promoting gender equality.

Building on this institutional success, the School of Nursing and Midwifery has been awarded its first Athena Swan Gold Award, recognising its innovative approaches to promoting nursing and midwifery as inclusive and rewarding career pathways. In particular, the School has been at the forefront of initiatives to highlight nursing as an exciting and fulfilling career choice for men.

The School has been actively engaged with the Athena Swan Charter for over 15 years, earning its first Bronze Award in 2010, progressing to Silver in 2012, 2016, and 2020, and now achieving Gold status in 2025.

The latest award highlights the School’s long-standing commitment to advancing gender equality and completes the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences collection of Gold Awards, making it the only faculty at Queen’s where every School has achieved Gold status.

Commenting on the award, Professor Kenda Crozier, Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery at Queen’s, said:

“This award is recognition of a long journey for the School of Nursing and Midwifery working through a programme of change and action to embed gender equality across all aspects of our School life. I am very proud of my school colleagues who have worked together to bring this vision to reality. We will continue to embed equality and diversity in our teaching, research and school processes and to share good practice.”

 
Similarly, the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering has earned the Athena Swan Gold Award for the first time, making the School the only engineering school on the island of Ireland to receive this recognition.

This award builds on the School’s long-standing dedication to advancing gender equality, following its Bronze Award in 2010 and Silver Awards in 2011, 2014, and 2019, culminating in this year’s achievement of the Gold Award.

Reflecting on this achievement, Professor Trevor Robinson, Head of the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen’s said:

“This Gold award is recognition of the commitment of every member of the School to Swan principles, and Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity more generally, over many years. As an Engineering School, educating students in what is still a male-dominated field, it is important that we demonstrate a firm commitment to gender equality, and this award is a fantastic demonstration of that. We could not be prouder of this achievement.”

Professor Peter Robertson, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion at Queen’s, praised the Schools on their recent award achievements:

“These achievements reflect the University’s dedication, leadership, and collaborative efforts to embed equality, diversity, and inclusion across all aspects of university life. We are exceptionally proud of our colleagues, whose commitment to advancing gender equality continues to set the standard for higher education.”

Queen’s now proudly holds six Gold, five Silver, and four Bronze School Awards, with Queen’s Business School also recently receiving a Silver Award, further demonstrating the University’s commitment to progressing gender equality across its schools.

More information

For more information about Queen’s work with Athena Swan, please visit the Athena Swan at Queen’s website.