University College Dublin (UCD) and Dublin City University (DCU) are the latest higher education institutions in Ireland to achieve a Silver Athena Swan award for improving gender equity, taking the total number of Silver institutional awards in Ireland to four.
The two Silvers, plus two Bronze institutional awards, are conferred in the latest round of Athena Swan in Ireland, along with two Silver and 11 Bronze academic department awards.
Jennie Rothwell, Senior Manager for EDI at the Higher Education Authority, said,
"Congratulations to all the higher education institutions and departments that have achieved Athena Swan awards today.
“It is encouraging to see an increasing number of Silver awards for the sector, demonstrating the sustained progress made by HEIs in advancing gender equality for staff and students. The significant number of renewal awards achieved in this round highlights the strong foundations being embedded across HEIs for inclusive gender equality work."
Sarah Fink, Head of Athena Swan Ireland, said,
“To achieve an award requires ongoing commitment and we commend the work undertaken by institutions and departments.
“These applicants have demonstrated that their Athena Swan Action Plans are having an impact on staff and students. Improved gender representation in senior roles, better supports for those taking family leave and increases in student retention are just some of the positive changes we’re seeing across the Irish sector as a result."
Silver success
Some key initiatives and data supporting University College Dublin's Silver application include the first female UCD President appointed in 2023, achieving gender balance across the Governing Authority, Academic Council and University Management Team and a reduction in female researchers feeling that lack of role models is an inhibitor to their progression (down from 69% to 37%).
Dublin City University's Silver application included a 300% increase in the number of men availing of paternity leave during 2020-22, exceeding the initial target of 5%, reducing the gender pay gap from 10% in 2022 to 8.17% in 2023 which is less than the national average and a financial commitment to facilitate 50 academic and professional women participating in Aurora in 2020-23 with 51% of Aurora participants being promoted since engaging with the women’s leadership development programme.
Latest Athena Swan Ireland awards
Institutions
- Dublin City University – Silver
- University College Dublin – Silver
- National College of Ireland – Bronze (renewal)
- Technological University of the Shannon – Bronze
Academic Departments
- Dublin City University – School of Law and Government – Bronze
- Maynooth University – Geography – Bronze (renewal)
- Maynooth University – School of Law and Criminology – Bronze (renewal)
- Trinity College Dublin – School of Genetics and Microbiology – Bronze (renewal)
- Trinity College Dublin – School of Law – Bronze (renewal)
- Trinity College Dublin – School of Social Work and Social Policy – Bronze (renewal)
- Trinity College Dublin – School of Psychology – Silver
- University College Cork – School of Nursing and Midwifery – Bronze (renewal)
- University College Cork – School of Public Health – Bronze (renewal)
- University College Cork – Cork University Business School – Bronze
- University College Dublin – School of Biology and Environmental Science – Silver
- University College Dublin – School of Economics – Bronze (renewal)
- University College Dublin – School of Earth Science – Bronze