Exeter Geography department gets gender equality award

The awards encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine.

All Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM) departments at Exeter are committed to holding an Athena SWAN award, and the silver award for the Geography department is an upgrade from its previous bronze status.

“We are really delighted to receive the Athena Swan Silver Award in Geography,” said Professor Jo Little, who led the Athena SWAN application.

“It is recognition of the ongoing efforts to improve gender equality in the department and to support women in all aspects of their careers.

“Initiatives developed under Athena Swan, while aimed largely at women, create a more equitable, supportive and collaborative department for all.

“The application for the award certainly reflected the spirit of support and co-operation, involving tremendous effort from staff in Geography, the College of Life and Environmental Sciences and the University.”

By being part of Athena SWAN, institutions commit to a ten-point charter which includes tackling unequal gender representation in academia and addressing the gender pay gap.