The Athena SWAN Charter was originally established to encourage commitment to redress the under-representation of women in careers in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) research and academia.

The University of Wolverhampton is committed to the aims of the Charter.  We are actively working to implement change that encourages women to embark on careers in what are traditionally regarded as male disciplines. This is important to enable STEMM subjects to realise the latent scientific potential in the whole of the population irrespective of gender or gender identity. Our aim, guided by Athena SWAN, is to remove the barriers that are precluding both men and women from fulfilling their potential. 

In May 2015 the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

The Athena SWAN Charter covers women (and men where appropriate) in:

• academic roles in STEMM and AHSSBL
• professional and support staff
• trans staff and students

In relation to their:

• representation
• progression of students into academia
• journey through career milestones
• working environment for all staff

The University was recently successfully in applying for a new Athena SWAN Bronze Award. Th is recognition of the work colleagues across the institution have done over the past year to develop a new gender equality plan that is true to our values as an institution that champions equality, diversity and inclusion and properly implements the principles of the Athena SWAN programme. We will shortly be communicating to staff members our vision for gender equality at the University, but please feel free to read our Athena SWAN application or the Vice-Chancellor's Athena SWAN covering letter. If you have any questions, please email Will Cooling, Head of Equality and Diversity, at w.cooling@wlv.ac.uk.