Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC) has been recognised for its commitment to advancing gender equality and inclusivity with a Bronze level Athena Swan award.
The Athena Swan Charter is a framework used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research.
Established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment, the Charter is used worldwide to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.
SRUC’s award, which is valid until November 2029, was hailed by Professor Wayne Powell, Principal and Chief Executive, as a “significant milestone”.
He added: “This fantastic achievement would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our staff and students across SRUC who engaged in this journey at all levels. A special thank you goes to our Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team, particularly Louise Baggott, Eileen Wall and Christine Watson, for their determination and resilience in what has been a long journey.”
Louise Baggott, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead at SRUC, said: “Our focus throughout the process of developing our Athena Swan submission has been to produce an evidence-based action plan that will deliver measurable change for SRUC’s community. It’s fantastic that this approach has resulted in achieving our first Bronze award and I look forward to delivering on our vision with colleagues and students.”
Prof Powell added: “While we celebrate this award, it is important to remember that this is just the beginning. Addressing gender equality and broader EDI matters is an ongoing, developmental effort.
“Collectively, we will continue to work to make SRUC a more inclusive, supportive, and equitable institution for all.”
