UCC recognised with prestigious Silver Athena Swan awards

University College Cork (UCC) has been awarded an institutional Silver Athena Swan award in recognition of their commitment to advance gender equality and promote equality, diversity and inclusion across the University. 

The  Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used globally to support and transform gender equality in higher education (HE) and research. 

This Silver Athena Swan award recognises the progress UCC made against their five-year gender equality action plan, and their success in addressing gender inequality in priority areas.

 

UCC’s successes include:  

  • Four new Family Leave policies developed, providing dedicated leave and support relating to foster care, surrogacy, fertility treatment and dealing with domestic violence.  A Menopause Support policy was also in 2024. 
  • Launching three new staff networks for Race Equality, Disability & Neurodiversity and a Carers’ Network. 
  • Unveiling two buildings renamed after Iris Ashley Cummins and Ellen Hutchings, and naming three new rooms after Dr. Dora Allman, Dr. Lucy Smith and Prof. Aine Hyland.
  • Championing the sector-leading Bystander Intervention education programme, which has now reached more than 20,000 people nationwide. 

Advance HE Ireland, the awarding body, commended the university particularly for significant gains achieved in the representation of women at senior academic and research grades, through improved recruitment and promotions practices, and improved supports for career progression, with the proportion of women at Full Professor doubling since 2019 (to 30%).  In the same period, the number of women at Professor (Scale 2) increased by 50% and at Senior Lecturer level by 28%. Women now account for at least half of Senior Post Doctoral Researchers (up from 31%) and of Senior Research Fellows (up from 25%). 

President John O’Halloran shared his delight at the news: “This is a fantastic achievement and a great milestone for UCC.   As an ecologist, a key maxim of my discipline is that diversity begets stability.  The work we do in UCC to promote inclusion and advance equality is key to our future success.  Congratulations to everyone involved – this is a moment for all of us to pause and take pride in our progress.” 

Deputy President & Registrar Professor Stephen Byrne, who sponsored the application, expressed his thanks: “This is a fantastic outcome and a testament to everyone who worked so hard to contribute to this award, including the EDI Unit, led by Dr. Avril Hutch,  and the team leaders who developed the submission, Prof. Nuala Finnegan, Prof. Ciara Heavin, Prof. Paul McSweeney and Dr. Darius Whelan”.  

Dr. Avril Hutch, EDI Director, also welcomed the news, adding “This Silver award demonstrates the commitment and perseverance of colleagues across UCC who are dedicated to advancing equality.  In the current global climate, UCC’s unwavering commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion is all the more important. There is more work to do, but with this award we have a plan in place and the momentum to drive further progress” 

Also announced today was the award of UCC’s first Silver departmental Athena Swan award, to the School of Food & Nutritional Sciences.  UCC now holds 17 Athena Swan awards, including institutional Silver accreditation, 1 Silver departmental award and 15 Bronze departmental awards.