Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) has been awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze Award in recognition of its commitment to advancing gender equality and the University’s plans to address systemic inequality. Athena SWAN is a framework for progressing equality in higher education and research, which supports Universities, academic departments, and professional units in impactful and sustainable gender equality work.
Welcoming the announcement, TU Dublin President, Professor David FitzPatrick, said: “It is fantastic news that our University’s commitment to gender equality has been recognised with an Athena Swan Bronze Award. As we look towards achieving our 2030 strategic goal to be recognised as an exemplar in Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI), we must ensure a culture of equal representation and opportunity thrives across our University. Indeed, this award recognises the strides we have already made towards improving gender equality, including the creation of an Academic Council with 48% female membership and the review of HR policies to embed best practice EDI principles.”
Professor Yvonne Galligan, Director of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at TU Dublin, who is leading the University’s transformation project to create an EDI exemplar for Higher Education in Ireland and globally, said, “Across Irish universities, only 27% of Professors are female, and while women comprise 65% of Professional, Management & Support Staff (PMSS), they hold just 43% of the highest-paid full-time PMSS roles. Since the University’s establishment in 2019, we have begun overturning this trend, with women attaining 40% of new senior academic roles and 45% of women holding the highest-paid PMSS roles. But, of course, there is more work to do! Our robust Athena SWAN action plan sets out a roadmap to achieve our strategic goals and address the systemic inequalities prevalent in Higher Education.”
The Athena SWAN process involves a thorough analysis of institutional data to identify key issues contributing to gender inequality. Some key Athena SWAN priorities for TU Dublin over the next four years are:
- To achieve and maintain gender balance (40% or better) in all senior decision-making roles and positions from Head of School upwards;
- To reach and maintain gender balance (40% or better) in all decision-making bodies;
- To have at least 40% of Schools make applications for Athena SWAN awards, with the entire Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment applying and at least two from our new Faculty of Digital and Data;
- To investigate the barriers and opportunities for increasing female enrolment in Apprenticeship programmes.
Please visit our website to read more about Equality, Inclusion and Diversity at TU Dublin.
