The Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences (PESS) has been successful in achieving a Bronze Award from Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) formally acknowledging the ongoing commitment of PESS to improve gender inequalities. It recognises and celebrates good practice towards the advancement of gender equality and specifically representation, progression and success for all. In particular, the charter was set up to encourage the advancement of careers for women in STEM, and higher education and research.
Athena SWAN is a charter established by the British Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) and implemented by the UK Resource Centre.
In future Science Foundation Ireland, the Irish Research Council and the Health Research Board will require higher education institutions (HEIs) to have Athena SWAN gender equality accreditation in order to be eligible for research funding. Irish HEIs will be required to secure Athena SWAN Bronze awards by the end of 2019 to ensure they are eligible to compete for research funding allocated by any of the three agencies. By the end of 2023 HEIs will be required to hold Athena SWAN Silver awards to be eligible for research funding.
Members of the PESS Athena SWAN Committee will attend an award ceremony in Dublin later this year. Members include Professor Mary O’Sullivan (Chair), Professor Ann MacPhail (HoD), Dr. Mark Campbell, Dr. Tom Comyns, Professor Drew Harrison, Rosemary Daniel, Dr. Ross Anderson, Ursula Freyne, Cillian McDowell, Sharon Barrett, Dr. Orla Power-Grant and Paulina Pavlaviciute.
Professor Ann MacPhail is Head of Department for the PESS Department and Professor in Physical Education. View Ann’s profile here.
Ann’s Email Address: Ann.MacPhail@ul.ie
Ann’s Twitter: @AnnMacPhail1
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