University division recognised for its commitment to equality

A prestigious award for advancing equalities has been conferred on the Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences (BES).

The Athena Swan Silver award is in recognition of the division’s commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

The accolade is awarded by the Athena Swan Charter, a framework which is used globally to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research. 

BES secured the accreditation following an application by senior lecturer, Dr Jennifer Dickie, who chairs the division’s Equality and Diversity Committee (EDC).

BES, which is a division of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, is led by Professor Kirsty Park, who chaired the EDC from 2014-2021.

She said: “Since taking over as Head of BES in 2021 my priority has remained to ensure that all staff and students are supported and enabled to develop their careers whatever their background or circumstances.

“I am delighted to have our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion recognised in this national award.

“Dr Jen Dickie and everyone on the Equality and Diversity Committee have worked so hard on this application.

“Most importantly, the work of this committee has driven forward changes to working practices and culture with a marked positive impact for both staff and students.”

Dr Jen Dickie said: “The success of our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) activities, such as boosting the visibility of underrepresented groups, and embedding EDI in field-based environmental sciences teaching and research, was a result of the support, hard work and dedication across BES staff and students and their commitment to improving EDI practices within our division.”

The Athena Swan Charter is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research.

Last year the University of Stirling secured a Silver institutional award, one of only four higher education institutions in Scotland and 38 in the UK to hold this accolade.

Find out more about the Athena Swan Charter framework.