Latest News
UCC’s commitment to gender equality recognised by Athena SWAN awards
UCC’s School of Nursing and Midwifery and School of Public Health have successfully renewed their Bronze Athena SWAN awards, recognising both Schools commitment to advancing gender equality and representation through good employment practices and promoting equality in higher education.
With these awards, the six Schools in UCC’s College of Medicine and Health are fully accredited by the Athena SWAN Charter.
This week’s announcement also noted the award to Cork University Business School of its first Athena Swan Bronze award in April, 2024
Dr. Angela Flynn and Dr. Brendan Noonan led the Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team for the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Professor Ali Khashan and Dr. Christie Godsmark led the Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team for the School of Public Health.
Congratulating all, Professor Stephen Byrne, UCC’s Deputy President, Registrar and Chair of UCC’s Athena SWAN Steering Group said: “The awards recognise our commitment to delivering gender equality, making UCC a positive and inclusive working environment in which everyone can reach their full potential”.
The application process he said helps schools reflect on how local practices, systems and policies promote gender equality.
Professor Helen Whelton, Head of the College of Medicine and Health said: “We are delighted to receive these bronze awards, it reflects the sustained effort and commitment of a large team in the School of Public Health, led by Professor Khashan and Dr. Godsmark and the School of Nursing & Midwifery, led by Dr. Flynn and Dr. Noonan. Throughout the process both teams met regularly, analysed extensive data and consulted widely with colleagues and students. These awards show our commitment in the College of Medicine & Health to values of fairness, equality, inclusion and belonging.”
Professor Ella Arensman, Head of the School of Public Health, commended her colleagues for their success: "We are immensely proud with this recognition of the School of Public Health’s continued commitment to progressing gender equality and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion more broadly within our School. We are delighted to see this work acknowledged and validated by this Award. Sincere thanks to all staff members for their valuable input".
Professor Patricia Leahy-Warren, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery, expressed her deep appreciation for the efforts of her colleagues in contributing to the submission, stating: "We are incredibly proud to receive our AS Bronze Award. This achievement allows us to continue to implement our comprehensive, school-wide plan to foster a deeper understanding of Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and belonging among all staff and students, underscoring its vital importance. My sincere thanks go to the exceptional team who collaborated so effectively to make this possible."
The Athena Swan Charter is an accreditation framework that is used across the globe to support and transform equality in higher education and research. Athena SWAN launched in Ireland in 2015 and versions of the charter are in place in the UK, Australia, the U.S.A., and Canada.