Gender equality

We are actively tackling barriers related to gender. We aim to create an inclusive environment where all of our staff and students can reach their full potential.

Athena Swan

The University joined the Higher Education sector’s gender equality charter Athena Swan Charter in 2009 and was recognised with an institutional Silver award in 2016 and again in 2022. We hold departmental Athena Swan awards in all 12 of our academic Schools. Visit our Athena Swan pages for information on the Athena Swan Charter, useful contacts and links to institutional, faculty and school/institute projects and action plans where available.

Supporting parents and carers

We have policies, initiatives and facilities in place to support staff and students who are parents and carers.

Staff and students can use our onsite Children’s Centre which offers flexible full and part-time places and term-time contracts for students.

Improving gender balance in leadership roles

We are committed to removing barriers to career progression. We provide wide ranging internal professional development and access to external development opportunities such as Advance HE’s Aurora leadership programme for women.

We are proud to have increased our proportion of women in senior academic and professional services roles year-on-year and will continue to work towards achieving gender balance.

Supporting our community

There are also various related networks that staff and students can join:

• Endometriosis network
• Female Early Career network
• Trans and non-binary peer support network
• Menopause network.

We provide support for staff and students who wish to make or have made changes to their gender identity. Further information about support available for trans and non-binary staff.

Gender Pay Gap

You can view our Gender Pay Gap reports and actions we are taking to reduce the gap.