Cork University Business School (CUBS) has achieved its first Athena SWAN Bronze Award for gender equality in higher education. The award celebrates good practice towards the advancement of gender equality and representation.
With this award, the two Schools in UCC’s College of Business and Law are now fully accredited by the Athena SWAN Charter.
Professor Ciara Heavin and Dr. Jane Bourke led the Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team for the business school.
Professor Ciara Heavin said “This fantastic achievement is testimony to the hard work and commitment of a large team of colleagues and students in our school, as well as collaborations with colleagues in the EDI Unit, HR, and IT. Our AS Action Plan is an important opportunity to further support and enable all CUBS staff and students to pursue their ambitions and to achieve their personal and professional objectives, working in an environment that is supportive and inclusive of all”.
Dr. Jane Bourke said “In applying for the AS Bronze Award, CUBS has gained a better awareness of our own practices, areas that we are doing well in, and areas where we must improve. Progress towards gender equality and inclusion is not inevitable. This award is an important opportunity to enhance the learning, research, and working environment for all CUBS students and staff, and so ensuring broader societal and economic benefits.”
Professor Stephen Byrne, UCC Deputy President and Registrar and Chair of UCC’s Athena SWAN Steering Group said: “The awards recognise our commitment to delivering gender equality, making UCC a positive and inclusive working environment in which everyone can reach their full potential. The application process helps Schools to reflect on how local practices, systems and policies promote gender equality. This award is a tribute to the work of Professor Ciara Heavin and Dr. Jane Bourke and their colleagues and to the commitment in Cork University Business School to values of fairness, equality, inclusion and belonging”.
Professor Thia Hennessy, Head of the College of Business and Law said: “We are delighted to receive this award, it reflects the effort and commitment of a large team in the business school, led by Prof. Ciara Heavin and Dr. Jane Bourke who met regularly for the past two years, analysed extensive data and consulted widely with colleagues and students. This award sees both schools in UCC’s College of Business and Law now fully AS accredited”.
Professor Anthony McDonnell, Interim Dean of CUBS said: “We are excited to receive our AS Bronze Award and implement this school-wide plan to build greater understanding of EDI amongst all staff and students and create greater recognition of its importance. My utmost thanks to this great team who has worked closely together to gather data, reflect on, and critically discuss a variety of issues to produce our first action plan which has been developed under our underpinning theme of embracing individuality through empowering all.”.
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 USA and Canada.