The RCSI Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine has achieved the internationally recognised Athena SWAN Bronze award for gender equality in higher education. The award celebrates good practice towards the advancement of gender equality and representation at RCSI University of Medicine and Health Sciences.

The award follows an assessment of gender equality in the department’s policies, practices and structures, and it recognises RCSI’s commitment to ensuring that gender equality is embedded across the university.

The Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine is the first department in RCSI to both apply for and secure a departmental award.

Commenting on the award, Professor Cathal Kelly, RCSI Chief Executive said: “I am delighted to congratulate the Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine on achieving this success on the basis of their commitment to delivering gender equality, encouraging greater female participation in STEMM and making RCSI a more inclusive and welcoming place for everyone to work and study. Building on our institutional Athena SWAN award in 2018, this award is part of a longer journey to implement our wider equality, diversity and inclusion objectives.”

The Athena SWAN Charter was established in Ireland in 2015 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in higher education and research. The Charter recognises work undertaken by third level institutions to address gender equality, not just the barriers to progression that affect women.

Sarah Fink, Acting Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion at RCSI, said: “We are delighted that the Department of Anatomy and Regenerative Medicine were successful in their submission for an Athena SWAN Bronze Award. The EDI Unit look forward to working with the department to implement their Athena SWAN Action Plan. This was a truly collaborate effort, and we are grateful to the department’s Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team, HR, Quality Enhancement Office and all of the staff and postgraduate researchers who contributed to the process through surveys, interviews, data collection and thoughtful feedback.”

The award includes a four-year action plan aimed at addressing positive gender practice in the department. The objectives focus on:

• Addressing gender issues related to academic recruitment and career progression
• Supporting early career researchers to develop a sustainable academic career
• Providing support to staff returning from family leave
• Ensuring all staff experience a culture that promotes flexible working

Learn more about Athena SWAN at RCSI here.