Athena Swan Champions Network

University of Galway's Athena Swan Champions Network

University of Galway’s Athena Swan Champions meet on a quaterly basis to discuss progress and obstacles arising at School and Unit level in relation to Athena Swan. Items raised during these meetings feed into the discussions of the Athena Swan Institutional Steering Group. 

The aim of the Athena Swan Champions Network is to facilitate knowledge exchange and support between those involved in Athena Swan activities across the University. The Champions Network consists of the SAT (Self-Assessment Team) Chairs, the Vice Deans for Equality Diversity and Inclusion and the Office of the Vice President for Equality Diversity and Inclusion.

The first meeting of the Athena Swan Champions Network was held 1^st of December, 2022, hosted by Dr. Laura Loftus, Gender Equality Programme Manager, and opened by Dr Helen Maher, VP for EDI.

The meeting was then followed with an open-to-all-staff gathering to celebrate the Athena Swan/Gender Equality work to date in the University of Galway. The Chair of Queen's University Belfast's Athena Swan Champions Network, Dr Deirdre Gilpin, was invited as a guest speaker. Dr. Gilpin exchanged great knowledge and experiences about QUB's Champions Network’s journey so far and best practice in terms of Athena Swan. 

The Role of a Champion

Each School in the University of Galway typically has two Swan Co-Champions, appointed from within a School who report directly to their Head of School. Athena Swan Champions are usually the Chair of their local Athena Swan Self-Assessment Teams (SAT) and are members of their Schools’ Senior Management/Executive Boards.

The role of Athena Swan Co-Champion is a significant leadership position and Athena Swan activity is recognised under the contribution criterion for academic promotion. 

Purpose

This network enables new Champions to make connections with Champions in other schools, facilitates horizontal and vertical exchange of information, enables integration of institutional and school-level actions and fosters synergising of solutions.

Current Athena Swan Champions