Physics and Astronomy gains Athena SWAN Award for supporting women in science

Physics and Astronomy at the University of Southampton has been recognised for its work in tackling the problem of gender inequality in science with an Athena SWAN Bronze Award.

The Athena SWAN Charter was set up in 2005 to acknowledge the commitment of the higher education sector in addressing gender inequalities, tackling the unequal representation of women in science and improving career progression for female academics.

Physics and Astronomy joins other departments across the University, including Electronics and Computer Science, to have received the award. The University has received the Athena SWAN Bronze Award since 2006.

The national achievement recognises the work Physics and Astronomy has done to address the gender imbalance in science subjects and ensures women are encouraged into an area that historically has been dominated by males.

The department is committed to advancing women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine and will continue to encourage more women to continue in higher education particularly in the fields of physics and astronomy.

The Athena SWAN Award was presented at a special ceremony at the University of Greenwich, in London, in June.