Athena Swan institutional Silver Award

About Athena Swan 

Athena Swan is a UK-wide initiative that recognises real progress in advancing gender equality in higher education and research. Having held a Bronze Award for over a decade, this award shows that we’re taking meaningful steps to create a fairer, more inclusive environment for everyone. 

90 colleagues from across our academic departments, colleges and professional services contributed to projects listed in the action plan that was part of the submission.  

AdvanceHE panel feedback 

In their feedback, the review panel highlighted our EDI annual fund as an example of good practice. This fund supports gender equality initiatives, with applications open to all staff and students.  

Funding in previous years has been awarded to a variety of EDI projects, including: 

• An International Women’s Day (IWD) concert showcasing Durham student compositions that engage with or reflect the ethos of IWD.
• An ‘Understanding Equity’ podcast, which brings together students and staff to focus on EDI topics that are important to Durham University students and the wider community. 
• Production of a best practice guide on lactation, to support families who are experiencing multiple marginalisation in healthcare and the workplace due to queer identity and/or ethnicity. 

Awards at all levels 

We already have five Bronze and 12 Silver departmental awards and two Silver Faculty awards. This institutional Silver Award is a clear signal that our commitment to gender equality is real and ongoing. 

Inclusive Durham Framework 

The Silver Award is the first of five commitments under our Inclusive Durham Framework, launched in July 2024. This framework, co-produced with our staff and students, is underpinned by an institution-wide action plan. It reflects the different voices, experiences and aspirations of our university community as we continue to build a more welcoming, progressive, and inclusive Durham University.