Athena SWAN
Athena SWAN
Athena SWAN is a national framework that supports and recognises the advancement of gender equality in higher education and research. Originally established to address barriers facing women in STEM subjects, Athena SWAN now seeks to create inclusive environments for all staff and students, regardless of gender identity or background. The framework encourages institutions to use evidence, consultation and lived experience to identify challenges, celebrate progress and drive continuous improvement in culture, representation and opportunity.
The Department of Chemistry is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive and equitable environment where all staff and students can flourish.
Since beginning our Athena SWAN journey in 2008, we have worked to embed equality, diversity and inclusion across all aspects of Departmental life, including recruitment, career development, teaching, research culture, wellbeing and outreach. Following receipt of our Athena SWAN Silver Award in 2019, we have worked through an ambitious action plan designed to address identified priorities and drive positive change across the Department. Our Athena SWAN work is informed by data, staff and student feedback, and collaboration across the Department.
Athena SWAN activity is overseen by the Department's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee and Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team, working to identify priorities, monitor progress and drive continuous improvement.
Key achievements since our 2019 Silver Award
- Increasing the representation of women in academic roles and leadership. The Department has continued to focus on attracting, recruiting and supporting talented women throughout the academic career pipeline. In the last 5 years we have made a significant number of academic appointments, and we are proud that approx. 50% of these have been women. A steady increase in the number of women at Associate Professor/Professor level in the Department has led to more women on committees and in leadership roles within the Department, helping to improve representation and visibility at all levels.
- Improving support for disability and neurodiversity. Through the contributions of a Disability Working Group, staff and student consultation, targeted training and awareness-raising activities, the Department has strengthened understanding of disability and neurodiversity and worked to create a more accessible and inclusive environment for all members of the community, although we recognise that there is still much to be done to improve physical accessibility across our 5 buildings.
- Strengthening wellbeing and departmental culture. The Department has expanded support for mental health and wellbeing through initiatives including Mental Health First Aiders, Bullying and Harassment Advisors, wellbeing activities and training programmes that promote a respectful, supportive and inclusive culture for staff and students. We have delivered a clear message that we will never tolerate bullying and harassment, and we have developed stronger pathways for dealing with any complaints of harassment.
- Supporting career development and progression. The Department has enhanced support for postdoc researchers and professional services staff through improved induction programmes, mentoring schemes, fellowship support, careers activities and networking opportunities, helping colleagues at all stages of their careers to develop and thrive.
As we prepare our Athena SWAN Gold submission in Autumn 2026, we are reflecting on the progress made since our Silver Award and developing a new action plan to guide our future work. We know that there is still much to be done, and we are always looking to improve. Building on our achievements to date, we remain committed to improving equality, diversity and inclusion across the Department through a continued focus on equitable recruitment and admissions, career development and progression, accessibility and inclusion, wellbeing, community and belonging, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive within the Department.
We are always keen to hear from anyone who has thoughts on how we can improve across these areas.
For more information about Athena SWAN and EDI activities within the Department, or to pass on comments, please contact Kylie Vincent, Associate Head of Department (People), at kylie.vincent@chem.ox.ac.uk.
