Established in 2005, Athena Swan provides a robust framework through which institutions and departments work to identify and address barriers to gender equality.
The Athena Swan Charter is a globally recognised framework that supports universities and research organisations to advance gender equality, transform culture and create inclusive environments.
About the Athena Swan Charter
The Athena Swan Charter provides a structured yet flexible approach for institutions to:
- Assess their current gender equality performance
- Identify challenges and barriers
- Develop evidence-based action plans
- Drive sustainable cultural and structural change
A proven framework for meaningful change
The transformed Athena Swan Charter
In 2021, the UK Athena Swan Charter was enhanced following an independent review. The transformed Charter ensures it remains relevant, impactful and responsive to sector needs.
It introduces a more flexible, inclusive and supportive model while maintaining rigour and credibility.
The Charters are based on a methodology of self-assessment, peer-review and continuous progression
Institutions can focus on priorities that reflect their specific context
Streamlined processes support greater focus on impact
Emphasis on learning, reflection and continuous improvement
Recognises the importance of organisational culture in driving change
Addresses how gender interacts with other forms of inequality
Athena Swan Timeline
The timeline below highlights key milestones in the journey of the Athena Swan Charter, which marks 20 years of advancing gender equality in higher education and research. Since its launch in 2005, the Charter has expanded in scope, grown internationally, and evolved to support more inclusive practices. The accompanying document provides more detail on each milestone and the Charter’s growth over the past two decades.
Key enhancements of the Athena Swan Charter
The UK Athena Swan Charter was significantly enhanced in 2021 following an independent review to ensure it remains fit for the future of higher education and research.
These enhancements continue to shape the Charter today, embedding a more flexible, inclusive and impact‑focused approach that supports institutions to drive meaningful and sustainable change
Supports greater inclusivity for people in all roles, of all gender identities, and those facing intersectional inequalities. It also empowers participants to make active commitments in line with their gender equality goals, as well as recognise and reward gender equality work.
Provides greater clarity and transparency on expectations at each award level, including decision-making at assessment, and enabling greater flexibility for applicants to focus on priority areas.
More streamlined, reducing the administrative burden by more than 50% for applicants enabling greater flexibility to focus on priority areas. With an introduction to the standardised departmental survey, it empowers applicants to focus on the assessment of culture.
Increased clarity and professionalisation of panel roles, supported by enhanced live training, consistency through the adoption of a new scoring rubric and new processes for minor and major revisions.
Increased guidance to provide additional developmental support for applicants including pre-application support, clear written guidance, events and specialised team support.
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.
Download and complete this letter to be printed on your institution/department/directorate/institute’s headed paper and return to Athena.Swan@advance-he.ac.uk
More about the transformed UK Athena Swan Charter
Athena Swan Signatories
Institutional participants and the awards that they hold.
Patrons
Bringing their academic expertise and backgrounds in gender equality to support and champion the Athena Swan Charter principles.
Athena Swan Governance Committee
List all of the members.
Panel members and observers
Information on becoming a panel member or observer.
Apply for an Athena Swan Charter award
Membership of Advance HE provides access for your institution to the Athena Swan award scheme.
The Athena Swan transformation journey
Find out more about the Athena Swan transformation journey.
Research institutes
Athena Swan in research institutes.
Independent Review -2020
Details of the Independent Review.
Guidance for Project Juno Award holders converting to Athena Swan in the UK
The guidance for transforming a Juno award into an Athena Swan award for physics departments.
Already Athena Swan Member?
Access member resources
To make it easier for you to find everything you need, we have moved our guidance, templates, FAQ document and other resources to support your Athena Swan Charter award submission to the Athena Swan Member Network Group on Connect. 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.
Celebrating progress and looking ahead
For over two decades, the Athena Swan Charter has supported progress in gender equality across higher education and research.
It continues to drive positive change by helping institutions build inclusive cultures, share good practice and deliver lasting impact.
Good Practice Initiatives
The database showcases the wide range of gender and race equality initiatives taking place across the higher education sector. It provides Athena Swan members with practical, evidence-based ideas that can be adapted to their own institutional context.
The initiatives are drawn from analysis of selected successful Athena Swan and Race Equality Charter applications, highlighting approaches that have demonstrated real impact in practice.
Applying for Athena Swan
Join Athena Swan
In the UK, Advance HE Membership provides access to Athena Swan. Once your institution is a member you can then apply for an institutional or departmental Athena Swan award. This provides access to the Equality Charters, supporting institutions to advance gender equality and create inclusive environments across higher education.
