Athena Swan Re-Bronze Awarded to UCD Sutherland School of Law
Professor Aisling Swaine collected the Athena Swan Bronze award on behalf of the School at a ceremony in South East Technological University
UCD Sutherland School of Law was conferred an Athena Swan Bronze award in a ceremony held on the 12th November in the South East Technological University (SETU) in Carlow. UCD was in receipt of a total of nine awards, with the Sutherland School of Law achieving a second bronze award.
Athena Swan Ireland highlighted many of the good practices that academic institutions in Ireland have adopted under their gender equality action plans to advance equality provisions in their institutions. The Sutherland School of Law’s creation of a ‘Law Career Progression Panel’ was highlighted as one of the many good practices within the school’s action plan. The Law Career Progression Panel is appointed annually with senior faculty who provide time to offer support to colleagues seeking academic promotions, to develop grant applications and further their research.
The Athena Swan programme offers a framework for progressing gender equality in higher education and research that is unique to Ireland and it is an honour for the school to have received this award for a second time.
Dean of Law, Professor Imelda Maher, said,
“This is very good news for the School: our students and ourselves. It is great to get recognition for our work on gender equality. I am particularly grateful to Professor Aisling Swaine, Dr T.J McIntyre and Dr Deirdre Healy who led the School's Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team (SAT), alongside the School EDI Committee, for all of the work they put into achieving this success.”
Sarah Fink, Head of Athena Swan Ireland, said,
“This Bronze Athena Swan award highlights the fantastic commitment of University College Dublin, Sutherland School of Law, in bringing about change through impactful and sustainable gender equality initiatives in higher education across Ireland. Congratulations to all those who work so hard to achieve and sustain this recognition.”
Jennie Rothwell, Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Higher Education Authority, said,
"Action plans developed through the Athena Swan Ireland Charter enable higher education institutions and departments to take an evidence-based approach to addressing gender equality challenges. Congratulations to University College Dublin, Sutherland School of Law, in taking this step forward to advance gender equality for all staff and students."
Of the many initiatives that the School has undertaken since first receiving the Bronze Award, one has been the development of a dedicated EDI presence on the School’s website here. This provides an invaluable resource for staff and students seeking information on related subjects.