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Women in Engineering Image

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Athena Swan at the School of
Engineering

The School is committed to the principles of Athena Swan and wants to achieve an improved gender balance at all levels, from student through to academic and research staff.

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The Athena Swan Charter

The Athena Swan Charter is a framework used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research. It was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise the commitment to advancing women's careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment. The Charter is now being used across the globe to address gender equality more broadly and not just barriers to progression that affect women. Read more at Athena Swan CharterLink opens in a new window.

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Our Athena Swan Award

We are delighted to announce that the School of Engineering has been successful in achieving a Gold charter mark following our January 2025 application.

This is the highest honour for exceptional and sustained commitment to gender equality in higher education and research.

The award recognises the School’s long-term strategic efforts to embed inclusive practices, support underrepresented groups, and build a diverse, equitable academic environment.

The School obtained a Silver charter mark in 2019 and a Bronze charter mark in 2013.

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Our Commitments

Advancing gender equality in academia by addressing the loss of women across the career pipeline and the absence of women from senior academic, professional and support roles.
Addressing unequal gender representation across academic disciplines and professional and support functions.
Tackling the gender pay gap.
Removing the obstacles faced by women, in particular, at major points of career development and progression including the transition from PhD into a sustainable academic career.
Addressing the negative consequences of using short-term contracts for the retention and progression of staff in academia, particularly women.
Examining gendered occupational segregation and elevating the status, voice and career opportunities of any identified under-valued and at-risk groups.
Mitigating the gendered impact of caring responsibilities and career breaks, supporting flexibility and maintaining a healthy 'whole life balance'.

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Our Athena Swan Gold Application

Here we are sharing the redacted version of our Athena Swan Gold ApplicationLink opens in a new window.

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Our Strategic Priorities to 2025

Encouraging Appraisals
Community Growth
Career Pipeline: PGR to Early-Career Academic
Intersectionality among staff and students
Engineering Discipline Focus

Equality and Diversity

Read more about the School's commitment to Equality and Diversity (E&D)

Our Self-Assessment Team

Modupe Jimoh (Chair)
Marina Antoniou
Claire Barratt
Joanna Collingwood
Gary Fowmes
Xueyu Geng
Luke Hall
Kerrie Hatton
Amy Hamson
Victoria Jelicic
Natasha Khovanova
Derek Ma
Busola Oronti
Angeles Rivero Pacho
Chris Stokes
Kathryn Thompson
Caroline Whitehouse

Previous members

Akinola Ajayi-Obe
Charity Bellan
Sanchari Deb
Peter Lever
Sarah Lewis
John Maxwell
Inga Naruseviciute
Jody Nwaelene
Naveen Krishna Pandikkadavil
Pippa Taylor-McGill
David Towers
Manuelo Trejo

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Women in Engineering
Scholarships Programme

The Women in Engineering Scholarships Programme is open to first year undergraduates.

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Our facts and figures

The infographics below show the proportion of staff and students who are female in the School of Engineering. Additionally, 1% of our students identify as non-binary. The data was correct at 31/1/2025.