Athena Swan Pilot Switzerland
Athena Swan in Switzerland | Pilot Project by the Faculty of Science UZH
The Faculty of Science is excited to be the first faculty in Switzerland to use the UK and Ireland’s Athena Swan Charter framework to drive our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
What is Athena SWAN?
The Athena Swan Charter is a framework used worldwide by higher education institutions to develop a strategic approach to tackling gender equality, and more generally build capacity for evidence-based equality, diversity, and inclusion work. Institutions who sign up to the charter commit to adopting the Athena Swan eight guiding principles, and apply for an Athena SWAN award as recognition of their work. Three levels of Athena SWAN Awards - Bronze, Silver or Gold - recognise how far an institution/department has come on its journey towards equality.
Why Athena Swan in the Faculty of Science at UZH?
Gender equality and the underrepresentation of women and men in different disciplines is an ongoing challenge in higher education. After successfully transforming the professorial hiring process in the Faculty, the Faculty of Science is looking to develop a more general evidence-based strategy for progressing equality in the Faculty. The Athena Swan Charter framework provides structured support for planning, coordinating and monitoring gender and wider equality activity. By applying for an Athena Swan Bronze award, the Faculty of Science at UZH will be the first Swiss institution to join a global community of higher education institutions committed to evidence-based transformation.
Who is leading this project? How can you contribute?
An Athena Swan award represents a significant commitment to equality. The process is led by a self-assessment team (SAT) comprised of the dean, professors from each subject area, and representatives from each body. The SAT works closely with the MNF Equality, Diversity, Inclusion committee and meets on a monthly basis.
For our Athena Swan project to have value and impact at the MNF, it is vital to have input from the entire MNF community. If you have feedback, ideas, or want to be a part of the process, please contact the project leader, Sara Petchey, or anyone on the SAT:
Self Assessment Team Members (from left to right in the photo)
| Project and MNF EDI committee leader | |
| WNW representative, Co-president MNF EDI | |
| Department of Mathematical Modeling and Machine Learning | |
| Department of Geography, Co-president MNF EDI | |
| Institute of Neuroinformatics | |
| FFL representative | |
| Head UZH EDI | |
| Department of Chemistry | |
| Department of Physics | |
| Deputy Dean | |
| Ines Kohler | Faculty Manager |
| Claire Blackman | Project data specialist |
| ATP representative |
What will the Athena Swan accreditation process entail?
Applying for a Bronze award means that the Faculty of Science will:
- Undertake a rigorous self-assessment of equality issues in the Faculty based on both quantitative data analysis and qualitative consultations with staff and students
- Use this self-assessment to identify key equality priorities
- Develop a five-year Horizon-Europe-aligned equality action plan that builds on this assessment
- Receive and reflect on feedback from an expert review panel