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Athena Swan

In this section

To actively support gender equality RDM engages with the Athena Swan initiative. The Athena Swan principles support RDM with our aim to enable all staff and students achieve their full potential.

WHAT IS ATHENA SWAN?

Athena Swan is a UK-wide initiative set up in 2005 to promote gender equality and advance the representation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM). It evolved from the work of the Athena Project and the Scientific Women’s Academic Network (SWAN), which resulted in the development of the Athena Swan Charter.

In 2015, the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law, and in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

In 2021, Athena Swan, which is run by Advance HE, underwent a further transformation to ensure that the charter is inclusive and accessible, with a greater focus on intersectional characteristics.

ATHENA SWAN IN RDM

RDM was awarded a Silver Athena Swan award in April 2016, in 2019 and 2024.

These Silver awards are in recognition of the fact that we are working on a number of fronts to improve recruitment, induction, career development, support for carers, and creating a supportive, friendly and open workplace culture. Our focus is to make RDM an exceptional place to work and study.

RDM commits to the principles of the Athena Swan charter.

RDM ATHENA SWAN APPLICATIONS and action plans

How can I get involved?

Your opinions, ideas and feedback are invaluable, and you can also let us know how we are doing through the staff and student surveys (read all survey results and reports).

We encourage you to contact us, if it's just an idea, to observe an EDI Committee meeting, or to join a working group. Whatever your reason, please contact one of the RDM EDI Committee, or email charlotte.smith@rdm.ox.ac.uk.

Athena SWAN

Athena Swan in the University

The University of Oxford was a founder member of the Athena Swan Charter and holds an institutional Athena Swan Silver award.

Find out more