2023
UCC achieves Athena SWAN Bronze Awards
- The School of Clinical Therapies, the School of Mathematical Sciences and the School of Computer Science and Information Technology receive awards for gender practice.
- UCC now has 17 Athena SWAN Departmental Bronze Awards.
University College Cork (UCC) has been awarded three new Athena SWAN Bronze Awards for positive gender practice in higher education. The awards celebrate the advancement of gender equality at the School of Clinical Therapies, the School of Mathematical Sciences and the School of Computer Science and Information Technology.
The awards follow an assessment of gender equality in the Schools’ policies, practices and structures, and it recognises UCC’s commitment to ensuring that gender equality is embedded across the university.
Dr Ciara O’Toole led the Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team (SAT) in the School of Clinical Therapies, Dr Tony Fitzgerald and Ms Kathleen O’Sullivan led the SAT in the School of Mathematical Sciences, and Professor John P. Morrison led the SAT in the School of Computer Science and Information Technology.
Professor Stephen Byrne, UCC Deputy President & Registrar and Chair of UCC’s Athena SWAN Steering Group, said: “The awards recognise our commitment to delivering and promoting gender equality, making UCC a positive and inclusive working environment in which everyone can reach their full potential. As Chair of the Athena SWAN Steering Group, I have seen the great dedication of our staff to ensure representation, progression and success for all. The awards are a tribute to the hard work of all the schools concerned and in particular to the Chairs of the School committees: of Dr O’Toole, Professor Morrison, Dr Tony Fitzgerald, Ms Kathleen O’Sullivan, and the wider EDI unit staff, and we look forward to implementing our Athena SWAN Action Plans.”
Dr Ciara O’Toole said “The School of Clinical Therapies was delighted to receive our first Athena Swan Bronze award. As a relatively young School in UCC, this award acknowledges the collaborative work achieved by our self-assessment team which included staff and students across all of our four disciplines. Our ambitious action plan aims to ensure that our School meets our goals to create an inclusive, diverse and equal place to study and work and that we maintain a culture of connection and mutual respect.”
Dr Tony Fitzgerald said: “The School of Mathematical Sciences was proud to receive our first Athena Swan Bronze award. The award reflects the dedication and enthusiasm of staff from all three disciplines within the School. We are committed to ensuring that equality, diversity and inclusion become interwoven with day-to-day practices. We hope to reshape the landscape of what is traditionally a male dominated field.”
Professor John P. Morrison said: “The School of Computer Science and Information Technology is delighted to be formally part of Athena Swan and looks forward to strengthening its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, especially with respect to attracting and promoting women in science.”
The Athena SWAN Charter is an accreditation framework that is used across the globe to support and transform gender 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. UCC has held an institutional Athena SWAN award since 2016 (renewed in 2019) and now holds 17 School-level awards.