UWL awarded prestigious Athena Swan Charter for gender equality

Three students are sat at a table in the UWL cafe. They are smiling and talking.

UWL awarded prestigious Athena Swan Charter for gender equality 

The University of West London (UWL) has been awarded Bronze accreditation by the Athena Swan Charter, a framework used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research. 

8 December 2022

The latest UWL equality statistics place the University consistently above the sector average for its numbers of female academic staff, and gender balance within management and professional services.  

The ratio of female to male employees at UWL is 56:44 and 52% of top earners are female, both above the sector average. New figures from Advance HE, the charity who administer the Charter, show that the mean pay gap in higher education in 2020-21 was 14.8 per cent. As at March 2021 UWL’s gap was 13% and analysis of data for March 2022 is showing the gap reduced to around 9%.  

Commenting on the award, Professor Peter John CBE, Vice-Chancellor said;

Equality and inclusion is in our DNA and I am very proud of our diverse staff and student community. This award is an important recognition of our work to support and transform gender equality in our university community and we are very pleased to receive it."

The Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team (ASSAT) was formed in October 2021 and comprised representation across all Schools/Colleges and students. The team worked collaboratively to develop the application and the resulting action plan that will remain a live document for the next 5 years (2023-2028). This was an extensive collaboration done within a very short time frame, in an environment that recognised the significance of gender equality and the intersectional experiences of a diverse workforce and student community that impact on their work and learning at UWL.

The front entrance to the University of West London, Ealing site

The ASSAT was co-led by Neil Henderson, Director of Human Resources and Organisational Development and Dr Charmagne Barnes, Pro Vice-Chancellor Dean for College of Nursing, Midwifery and Healthcare. They commented,

We are delighted for all at UWL for the recognition this award brings, not only in terms of gender equality but for our approach to celebrating and developing our intersectional and diverse community. This award is testament to our commitment to the principles of Athena Swan and has been a worthwhile and rewarding team effort."

38% of UWL staff are from black and minority ethnic (BME) backgrounds, above the sector average of 13%. 30% of professors and associate professors are from BME backgrounds and 28% of this group are female. UWL was ranked 13th for Social Inclusion in The Times/The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023 and has 62% BME students.  