DCU receives Athena SWAN Bronze Award for the second time in recognition of gender equality progress

Dublin City University has been awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze Award, for the second time, in recognition of its commitment to advancing gender equality in higher education and creating cultural change within the University.

The DCU award recognises the systemic change within the University over the last five years including:

•  An increase of 20% from 27% to 47% in female representation at Head of School level within the University
• The minimum of 40% of each gender achieved on all senior committees of the University
• The percentage of females at Professor level has grown by 16% to 52%
• The percentage of females at Full Professor level has grown by 13% to 33%
• The University has become a beacon of best practice for other HEIs
• The establishment of DCU’s Centre of Excellence for Diversity and Inclusion  
• Introduced increased supports for female staff through the Women in Leadership suite of initiatives
• The University reports annually its own gender statistics for academic leadership posts    

These significant achievements are the result of concerted efforts across the university, but the award recognises DCU’s determination to achieve gender equality. Our commitments include a four-year action plan aimed at further addressing the gender imbalance at higher academic grades by supporting and developing the careers of women within the University. The award also includes a commitment to supporting members of other underrepresented groups including a specific mini action plan aimed at addressing the underrepresentation of ethnic minorities within Irish higher education. 

Welcoming the announcement of DCU’s Bronze award, DCU President, Professor Daire Keogh,  said:

“We are very pleased to have received this Bronze Award, and welcome it as an opportunity to affirm our resolute commitment to the promotion of Gender Equality at DCU, not merely as a matter of justice, but in the very best interest of the University.”

Professor Greg Hughes, Chair of the DCU Athena SWAN committee and Vice President for Research and Innovation, said:

"DCU is committed to the principles that underpin the Athena SWAN Charter and is delighted to have that commitment recognised once again by a Bronze Award. Our latest Athena SWAN submission has provided an opportunity to embed these principles even deeper within the University and develop a strong action plan which builds on our previous plan and which will further progress gender equality both within the institution and beyond. 

I would like to acknowledge the huge efforts of the DCU Athena SWAN Committee in collating and interpreting the data to ensure we remain on course towards full diversity and inclusion for the University.”

On the announcement of these awards, which brings the total number of awards in Ireland to 56, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science in Ireland, Simon Harris TD said:

“Our higher education institutions must be leaders in gender equality. They must demonstrate to Government and to students their commitment to fairness, equality, dignity and respect. The Athena SWAN framework offers institutions an opportunity to show progress and to demonstrate leadership. I am delighted to see the success rate this year and hope we can build on this as we move forward.

Since I have taken office, I have made it clear this Department will be one of inclusion and I want our higher education institutions to be a leader in this area.”