Athena Swan

Athena Swan at UCC

Athena Swan is an international framework that supports and recognises commitment to advancing gender equality in higher education and research. Through Athena Swan, UCC works to create an inclusive environment where staff and students can thrive, and where barriers to participation, progression and leadership are identified and addressed.

UCC was awarded an Institutional Silver Athena Swan Award in 2024 in recognition of sustained progress in advancing gender equality and its commitment to continued improvement. Today, nineteen UCC Schools and research units hold Athena Swan awards, reflecting almost a decade of Athena Swan activity across the University.

UCC's Athena Swan Hub

The Athena Swan Hub brings together information, guidance and resources on Athena Swan in UCC. Whether you are looking for information on UCC awards, Athena Swan governance, resources or support with Athena Swan applications, the Hub provides a central source of information for UCC staff.

Go to the Athena Swan Hub (UCC staff only) ➜

UCC Athena Swan Action Plan 2024-2029

UCC's Silver Athena Swan Action Plan 2024-2029 sets out the University's priorities and actions for advancing gender equality across all areas of university life over the next five years. The plan builds on the progress made under previous Athena Swan and gender equality initiatives and provides a framework for continued institutional and School action

The Action Plan may be viewed here: Athena Swan UCC Action Plan 2024-2029

Athena Swan Governance at UCC

UCC Gender and Athena Swan Working Group

The Gender and Athena Swan Working Group is a working group of the University Leadership Team Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Belonging (EDIB) Sub-Committee. Chaired by the Deputy President & Registrar, Professor Stephen Byrne, the Group provides strategic direction for gender equality and Athena Swan at UCC. The Group oversees implementation of the University's Athena Swan Action Plan (2024-2029) and supports the advancement of gender equality through monitoring, governance and coordination of Athena Swan activity across the University.

College EDI Committees

The four College EDI Committees provide leadership and oversight of equality, diversity and inclusion activity within their respective Colleges. The Committees support implementation of UCC's EDI Framework and associated action plans, including Athena Swan, and oversee the development and delivery of College EDI Action Plans. They also support School-level Athena Swan applications and promote alignment between School, College and University EDI priorities.

Athena Swan Awards at UCC

Today, nineteen UCC Schools and research units hold Athena Swan awards, including four Silver Awards and fifteen Bronze Awards. This reflects almost a decade of sustained Athena Swan activity across the University since the Schools of Chemistry, Pharmacy and Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences became UCC's first School award holders in 2017. The School of Food & Nutritional Sciences achieved UCC's first School-level Silver Award in 2024, followed by the Schools of Chemistry (2025), Pharmacy (2025) and Applied Psychology (2026).

Current Awardees	Award level	Award date	Renewal date
UCC (Institutional Award)	Silver	11/24	11/29
School of Chemistry	Silver	11/25	11/30
School of Biological, Earth & Environmental Sciences (BEES)	Bronze	11/21	11/25*
School of Mathematical Sciences	Bronze	11/22	11/27
School of Computer Science & Information Technology	Bronze	11/22	11/27
School of Food & Nutritional Sciences	Silver	11/24	11/29
School of Biochemistry & Cell Biology	Bronze	4/21	4/25*
School of Microbiology	Bronze	11/21	11/25*
Tyndall National Institute	Bronze	4/26	4/31
School of Public Health	Bronze	4/24	4/29
School of Medicine	Bronze	11/23	11/28
Dental School & Hospital	Bronze	4/25	4/30
School of Clinical Therapies	Bronze	11/22	11/27
School of Nursing & Midwifery	Bronze	4/24	4/29
Cork University Business School	Bronze	11/23	11/28
School of Law	Bronze	11/25	11/30
School of Applied Psychology	Silver	4/26	4/31
School of Applied Social Studies	Bronze	4/25	4/30
School of Pharmacy	Silver	11/25	11/30
School of Education	Bronze	4/26	4/31

*Schools of BEES, Microbiology, and Biochemistry will submit a joint application in November 2026. Their current awards are extended through that date.