University of Stirling recognised for its commitment to advancing gender equality

The University of Stirling has been awarded a prestigious Athena Swan Charter award for its commitment to advancing gender equality.

Stirling is the proud holder of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, which is used globally to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research. Stirling joins just four other higher education institutions in Scotland and 38 in the UK to hold a Silver institutional award.

The accreditation follows steps taken by the University of Stirling to further advance gender equality and inclusion as an institution. This includes a sector-leading approach to gender-based violence, agile and progressive working practices, and enhancing the gender balance of our leadership. 

Professor Sir Gerry McCormac, Principal and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Stirling, said: “We are delighted to be recognised by Athena Swan for the important steps we have taken towards gender equality and inclusion. I would like to congratulate and thank all who helped to achieve this Silver award. 

“We are committed to continuing our work in this area. Our new Strategic Plan, which takes us to 2030, outlines our ambition to make a positive impact on people’s lives and be a force for good in the world – and inclusion and equality are high on our agenda. We are seeing more women applying for, and achieving, promotion at Stirling and our gender pay gap has narrowed by 4.8% in the past three years.”

Forty-four per cent of University of Stirling professors are now female compared to the sector benchmark of 30%, and 60% of the University’s senior management team are women.   

In 2023, the University of Stirling joined the national White Ribbon campaign to end gender-based violence and Professor McCormac holds a role as a White Ribbon ambassador. 

The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research. Find out more here: www.advance-he.ac.uk/equality-charters/athena-swan-charter