School of Social Sciences receives Advance HE Athena Swan Silver award

04 Dec 2025

The School of Social Sciences has earned a Silver Athena Swan Award for advancing gender equality and embedding an inclusive and supportive culture in teaching, research and leadership.

We are proud to announce that the School of Social Sciences has received the Athena Swan Silver award, from Advance HE, for promoting gender equality, improving senior representation, and embedding inclusive practices in teaching, research, and leadership. The award is testament to the School’s commitment to equality and inclusivity and to building a diverse, inclusive and supportive environment in which students and staff can thrive.

The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used globally to support and transform gender within higher education and research. The School will now build on this to make even greater progress towards equality and inclusivity.

Claire Fox, Director of EDI reflected: “To be honest, it was about time SoSS applied for this award, given the progress and achievements we’ve made in recent years. Achieving Silver is a real credit to all our colleagues who have put in the unglamorous work behind the scenes. I’m delighted the awarding panel recognised this.”

Claire Alexander, Head of School, added: “This is a prestigious award, which recognises a commitment to advancing gender equity in higher education and a tremendous achievement. The award is also a stepping stone on a longer journey to embed gender equity throughout the School of Social Sciences."