University of Hertfordshire awarded Silver Athena Swan Charter for gender equality

The University of Hertfordshire has been granted a prestigious Silver award in the Athena Swan Charter – one of only 38 institutions to receive the recognition.

Awarded by Advance HE and originally established in 2005, the Athena Swan Charter recognises the advancement of gender equality in science, technology, engineering, maths, medicine (STEMM), arts, humanities, social sciences, business, and law within higher education and research. It promotes inclusivity for people of all gender identities and those facing intersectional inequalities, and its global framework helps institutions tackle structural inequalities, embed diversity and inclusion in their practices, and support the promotion of inclusive working environments.

The Silver Award, valid until September 2029, highlights the University’s ongoing commitment to gender equality. It builds upon Herts’ previous Bronze award, demonstrating substantial progress in fostering an inclusive environment for staff and students alike.

Professor Quintin McKellar CBE, Vice Chancellor of the University of Hertfordshire, says:

“A heartfelt thank you goes to all the staff who contributed to this achievement. Whether through direct involvement in the award submission or through individual efforts to promote inclusivity within their teams, each contribution has played a vital role in making Herts a more equal and welcoming place to work and study. The University remains committed to advancing gender equality and looks forward to the continued progress that will be made in the coming years.”

Receiving the Silver award underscores several important advancements made by the University of Hertfordshire including:

• Increased female representation in senior academic roles: Representation has grown by 10%, with women holding 51% of senior roles in 2023/24, up from 44% in 2019/20.
• Reduction of the gender pay gap: The gender pay gap has significantly decreased from 12.7% in 2019 to 7.6% in 2023.
• Improvements in academic promotion processes: Enhanced fairness and inclusivity have been integrated into the university’s academic promotion pathways.

Read more about the University of Hertfordshire’s equality, diversity and inclusion charter marks, awards and affiliations.