News and Events
School attains the Athena Swan Bronze Award.
We are delighted to announce the conferral of an Athena Swan Bronze Award on the School of Applied Social Studies in recognition of our efforts to recognize and address gender inequalities.
The Athena Swan Ireland Charter offers a framework for progressing gender equality in higher education and research that is unique to Ireland. It is run by Advance HE, which has worked in partnership with the sector for 10 years, supported by the Higher Education Authority.
Sarah Fink, Head of Athena Swan Ireland, said,
“This Bronze Athena Swan award highlights the fantastic commitment of University College Cork, School of Applied Social Studies, in bringing about change through impactful and sustainable gender equality initiatives in higher education across Ireland. Congratulations to all those who work so hard to achieve and sustain this recognition.”
According to Jennie Rothwell, Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Higher Education Authority:
"Action plans developed through the Athena Swan Ireland Charter enable higher education institutions and departments to take an evidence-based approach to addressing gender equality challenges. Congratulations to University College Cork, School of Applied Social Studies, in taking this step forward to advance gender equality for all staff and students."
Over the past couple of years, staff and students in the School conducted a detailed assessment of gender and diversity composition and dynamics within the School and developed a detailed gender equality action plan (which runs to 2029) to address key issues. The role of the Student Advisory Group was particularly important in this process. Staff and students together identified an urgent need to address harmful societal gendered stereotypes of social sciences and the social professions; addressing these is one of the core priorities of the action plan.
According to Professor Eleanor Bantry White, Head of School:
‘The application process has prompted lively discussion and reflection across our School community. It has enabled us to co-create meaningful gender-equality and wider EDI actions and has instilled a strong sense of shared ownership of our priorities and plan’.
Members of the Self-Assessment Team which led the application were:
Dr. Caitríona Ní Laoire (Chair), Prof. Eleanor Bantry White, Edith Busteed, Dr. Claire Edwards, Dr. Gill Harold (Working Group Chair), Dr. Patricia Kennedy, Prof. Máire Leane, Dr. Nicola Maxwell, Orla McDonald, Dr. Rosie Meade (Working Group Chair), Dr. Noel O’Connell, Fionnuala O’Leary, Dr. Fiachra Ó Súilleabháin, Dr. Siobhán O’Sullivan and Vladimir Petrovic.