The University of Southampton is a founding signatory of the Athena Swan gender equality charter and holds an institutional Silver award. As a signatory since 2006, we recognise the specific challenges that affect men and women in academic careers, which leads to fewer women at senior levels of higher education. We are committed to addressing these issues, to maximise the potential of all our people.
We are delighted to have successfully renewed our Athena Swan Silver award in 2022. A Silver award recognises a significant record of activity and achievement by the institution in promoting gender equality and in addressing challenges across different disciplines.
What does this mean for me?
As part of its submission for an Athena Swan award, the University develops comprehensive action plans, with responsibility shared across the University. This helps support a coordinated approach to understanding and addressing issues such as unblocking talent pipelines, attracting and appointing more diverse job candidates, fostering greater job security, enhancing flexible working practices and ensuring that our family friendly policies are truly inclusive. The action plan that accompanies our 2021 submission is structured into themes to address these areas between now and 2027.
As part of its submission for an Athena Swan award, the University develops comprehensive action plans, with responsibility shared across the University. This helps support a coordinated approach to understanding and addressing issues such as unblocking talent pipelines, attracting and appointing more diverse job candidates, fostering greater job security, enhancing flexible working practices and ensuring that our family friendly policies are truly inclusive. The action plan that accompanies our 2021 submission is structured into themes to address these areas between now and 2027.
How many awards does the University hold?
The University was awarded Silver in October 2016, following ten years of work at bronze-level. Our institutional award is complimented by departmental awards, held by faculties and schools. Departmental awards recognise their work to implement our policies and widen awareness of gender equality in their local area. For some faculties, this could potentially be linked to research funding too.
Our departmental awards
| Award | Faculty of Professional Service | Department |
|---|---|---|
| Silver | Faculty of Medicine | Faculty of Medicine |
| Silver | Faculty of Social Sciences | School of Mathematical Sciences |
| Bronze | Faculty of Social Sciences | School of Economic, Social and Political Sciences |
| Bronze | Faculty of Social Sciences | Southampton Education School |
| Bronze | Faculty of Social Sciences | Southampton Law School |
| Bronze | Faculty of Social Sciences | University of Southampton Business School |
| Silver | Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences | School of Electronics and Computer Sciences |
| Silver | Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences | School of Physics and Astronomy |
| Silver | Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences | School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering |
| Bronze | Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences | School of Engineering |
| Bronze | Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences | Optoelectronic Research Centre |
| Silver | Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences | School of Biological Sciences |
| Bronze | Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences | School of Ocean and Earth Sciences |
| Bronze | Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences | School of Health Sciences |
| Bronze | Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences | School of Psychology |
| Bronze | Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences | School of Geography and Environmental Sciences |
| Bronze | Faculty of Arts and Humanities | School of Humanities |
| Bronze | Faculty of Arts and Humanities | Wichester School of Art |
| Bronze | iSolutions | iSolutions |
What is a self-assessment team (SAT)?
The University, and each faculty and school that applies for an award, forms a self-assessment team (SAT). SATs are made up of key stakeholders across the areas being assessed, to undertake the work of assessing ourselves against previous commitments, developing new action plans, and writing our submission. Each SAT will continue to meet after submission in some form to oversee delivery of the action plan and review its impact.
How can I get involved
We have an Athena Swan Forum with membership from each of the self-assessment teams across the University. All individuals interested in gender equality are welcome to join as well. The Forum aims to promote discussion of gender-related issues in the University, through a mailing list and regular networking meetings in the University, and to share learning between teams participating in Athena Swan. Employees from all job families and faculties are encouraged to join.
Please email diversity@soton.ac.uk if you would like to submit feedback on the submissions, gender equality in the University or join our Athena Swan Forum
We have an Athena Swan Forum with membership from each of the self-assessment teams across the University. All individuals interested in gender equality are welcome to join as well. The Forum aims to promote discussion of gender-related issues in the University, through a mailing list and regular networking meetings in the University, and to share learning between teams participating in Athena Swan. Employees from all job families and faculties are encouraged to join.
Please email athena-swan@soton.ac.uk if you would like to submit feedback on the submissions, gender equality in the University or join our Athena Swan Fo
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Last update: 8 July 2026