Heriot Watt University

Athena SWAN

Open Session 28 March 2013

Presentation outline Overview of Athena SWAN HWU Approach Athena SWAN Survey Action Plan Questions & Discussion

Athena SWAN - Why “It is the right thing to do.” RCUK expect those in receipt of Research

Council funding to provide evidence of participation in schemes such as Athena SWAN

Athena SWAN – Principles To address gender inequalities requires

commitment and action from everyone, at all levels of the organisation

To tackle the unequal representation of women in science requires changing cultures and attitudes across the organisation

Athena SWAN – Principles The absence of diversity at management and

policy-making levels has broad implications which the organisation will examine

The high loss rate of women in science is an urgent concern which the organisation will address

Athena SWANBronze Award Application

Step 1: Initiative mapping

Identify data requirements

Allocate work packages

Step 2: Identify priority issues – what does the data tells us?Map issues to existing initiatives & identify gaps

Step 3: File notification of intent to submit

Headline findings

Develop prioritised initiatives

Draft Action Plan

Step 4: Create final draft of Award Submission and Action Plan

University Executive sign off

Dec 2012Jan 2013

Feb 2013

Apr 2013

Step 5: SUBMIT

Mar 2013

Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team Drawn from across the University Membership from Research Associate to Professorial

level and from Professional Services Includes representatives from Senior Management Charged with producing the Submission and then

implementation of the Action Plan

Athena SWAN SurveyProfiling Headline info 54% return rate from target staff group Highest return from lectures (21%) and professors

(20%) EPS highest School return (25%) and then SML

(20%) – shows the need to ensure we embed the Athena Principles

89% from the Edinburgh Campus – but returns across all campuses

56% responses from men – overall c75% of our academic staff are male could be a buy-in issue

Athena SWAN SurveyProfiling Headline info Age range of respondents largely mirrors HWU

As with recent HWU Census more respondents classified themselves as having a disability than central records show (just under 14% of respondents)

Also mirroring the HWU Census a high proportion identified caring responsibilities outwith work - 49%

Athena SWAN SurveyPerception Only 27% of men and 19% of women agreed that

the progression of female academics is a HWU priority

61% men and 56% women agreed that HWU encourages a supportive working environment

63% men and 75% women agreed that HWU accommodates flexibility in the how individuals work.

Issues raised around effective communication with academic staff

Athena SWAN SurveyPerception 53% men and 50% of women felt valued as

part of HWU 58% men and 43% women felt valued as part

of their School 74% men and 67% women felt valued as part

of their Department

Understanding of Athena SWAN 41% men and 46% women aware of Athena Mixed picture of who benefits from Athena – 16%

men and 11% women agreed it was only about women

61% men and 55% women knew HWU had been involved in Athena before

74% men and 66% women agreed Athena as positive 35% men and 40% women agreed Athena would

benefit them

Suggested activities and male/female likely uptake

Activity Men Women

Mentoring 60% 69%Coaching 54% 61%Leadership initiatives 66% 69%Gender based networking 13% 47%Gender equality symposiums 33% 43%

Career transition 27% 56%Virtual networking 32% 54%Promotions workshops 63% 66%Career and personal development workshops 52% 79%

HWU Governance workshops 41% 39%

Capacity building for committees/boards workshops 50% 47%

Work-life balance Workshops 29% 30%

Conclusions for the SAT Mixed picture between men and women core

work required on:o Perception issues with HWU prioritising of academic career

progressiono Communication with academic staffo Women feeling valued within their Departmento Some differences in the kind of activities that men and

women would like to take part in

o Need to be consistent in demonstrating the benefit of Athena SWAN

Questions/Discussion