Athena Swan and inclusivity in business schools

Wednesday 31 January 2018
Treehouse Room, Berrick Saul Building, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD

The Athena Swan Charter recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly within higher education and research, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

At this workshop participants will examine the process of establishing good practice, gathering evidence and submitting a business school application for an Athena Swan Charter award. The event will also look at embedding the commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion across the work of the institution, including within the curriculum.

Delegates at this event will:

  • Develop an understanding of what is required for a high quality Athena Swan application;
  • Gain insight into the good practice in equality and inclusion which needs to be put in place and gathering the necessary supporting evidence, in relation to the different elements of the application;
  • Learn from the experience of an Athena Swan gold award holding department and a business school with a bronze award;
  • Consider the extent of unconscious bias, in particular within the curriculum, and how that should be addressed;
  • Explore how to embed good practice in equality, diversity and inclusion strategically within business schools.

Speakers include:

  • Professor Sharon Mavin, Director, Newcastle University Business School (Workshop Chair and Facilitator) and Chair of the Chartered Association of Business Schools Diversity Committee
  • Dr Caroline Dessent, Reader in Physical Chemistry and Chair of the Equality and Diversity Group in the Department of Chemistry, University of York
  • Dr Edgar Meyer, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programmes and Education Quality, Imperial College Business School
  • Professor Carole Elliott, Roehampton Business School, University of Roehampton
  • Dr Linda Perriton, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management, Stirling Management School
  • Professor Nelarine Cornelius, Associate Dean, Academic Staff Development, School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London
  • James Lush, Equality Charters Development Manager, Equality Challenge Unit

Who should attend: 

Deans, directors and associate deans; leaders and champions of diversity and inclusion from business schools around the UK who may occupy a range of roles; and those with an academic interest in this field.

Athena SWAN and diversity in business schools

Date: Wednesday 31 January 2018, from 10:15 to 15:45

Venue: Treehouse Room, Berrick Saul Building, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD

PROGRAMME

09:45  Registration

10:15  Welcome and introduction

Professor Sharon Mavin, Director, Newcastle University Business School and Chair of the Chartered Association of Business Schools Diversity Committee (Workshop Chair and Facilitator)

10:25 The Athena SWAN Charter and establishing good practice 

This session will detail the principles behind the Equality Challenge Unit’s equality charters (including Athena SWAN), the process of preparing an application and establishing good practice in equality, inclusion and diversity. 

James Lush, Equality Charters Development Manager, Equality Challenge Unit               

11:00  What the Athena SWAN award means for business schools 

Five business schools in the UK are Athena SWAN award holders, one of which is Imperial College Business School. Edgar Meyer will speak about Imperial’s Athena SWAN application, what it has done since being given the award and plans for future progress.

Edgar Meyer, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Programmes and Education Quality, Imperial College Business School

11:35 Coffee 

12:05 Going for gold

The Chemistry Department at the University of York has recently celebrated 10 years of holding a gold Athena SWAN award. Caroline Dissent has been at the forefront of what her department has done to achieve and maintain that position and will share her experiences.

Dr Caroline Dessent, Reader in Physical Chemistry and Chair of the Equality and Diversity Group in the Department of Chemistry, University of York

12:40 Diversity in business schools and the curriculum

Participants will hear about a joint research project on gender and diversity in the curriculum.

Dr Linda Perriton, Senior Lecturer in Human Resource Management, Stirling Management School and Professor Carole Elliott, Roehampton Business School, University of Roehampton

13:15 Lunch 

14:15 The elements of the Athena SWAN application  

Interactive session led by Professor Nelarine Cornelius, Associate Dean, Academic Staff Development, School of Business and Management, Queen Mary University of London 

Participants will work in groups and have the opportunity to discuss with the symposium speakers the various elements of the Athena SWAN application (recruitment and promotion; career development; flexible working and managing career breaks; organisation and culture) along with ensuring a high quality Athena SWAN application overall and how to embed best practice into their business school. 

15:35     Closing remarks

15:45     Close