EDI | Athena Swan Departmental Awards

Here you'll find information on departmental awards at DCU, as well as information, resources and internal supports to help academic schools and professional units in engaging with the Athena Swan framework.

Resources and Supports for Departments

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Athena Swan departmental awards

Along with its Institutional Awards, Athena Swan Ireland award faculties, schools and units through their departmental applications.

By 2027, DCU aims to have all academic schools applying for an Athena Swan Award, and will also work to support professional support units to engage with the Athena Swan journey.

Engagement with the Athena Swan Charter, principles and self-assessment is key in confronting the challenges we face around gender equality in higher education.

This process gives us a framework for thinking about equality, diversity and inclusion — which should bring positive changes for all.

Athena Swan Resource Hub

Is your DCU faculty, school or professional unit interested in engaging with the Athena Swan Awards?

We have developed a helpful Athena Swan 'How To' Guide to get you started and provide you with all the information you need to consider as you commence the process.

Please have a read through this guide, and the accompanying resources/templates included.

Feel free to reach out to the DCU Athena Swan Officer for support at any stage.

Athena Swan Peer Support Network

DCU has an internal Athena Swan Peer Support Network for staff leading and engaging with the Athena Swan process at the faculty, school or unit level.

The network aims to:

Offer peer-to-peer support to self-assessment teams developing their Athena Swan applications;
Give self-assessment teams ‘critical friends’ when preparing applications
Support Athena Swan/EDI committees as they implement their action plans
Share lessons learned and good practice examples throughout the university
Ensure as much cohesion as possible between local gender/EDI action plans

The network meets every two months, or more frequently as needed.

Are you involved with Athena Swan at DCU? Join our Peer Support Network mailing list by contacting the EDI Unit (edi@dcu.ie).