Athena Swan

	Athena Swan Ireland

UCD School of Philosophy was awarded an Athena SWAN Bronze Award in May 2025, in recognition of its commitment to improving gender equality in the school. The School’s Bronze Award report was developed by a Self-Assessment Team chaired by Assoc. Prof. Daniel Esmonde Deasy and Prof. Rowland Stout.

The Athena SWAN charter is a framework that is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality in higher education and research. The charter launched in Ireland in 2015 with a specific remit to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment. The charter has since been expanded to include arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL) and staff working in professional, managerial and support roles (PMSS). The framework also now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, including consideration of the experience of trans staff and students, as well as the underrepresentation of men in particular disciplines. The Athena SWAN Bronze, Silver and Gold awards testify to institutions’ and departments’ success in advancing these goals. You can find out more about Athena Swan in Ireland (opens in a new window)here.

The Bronze Award affirms that our school:                                                    

• is aware of gender equality issues in the school
• has identified the particular challenges we face, and
• has a plan for the future.

Based on the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data carried out in our Bronze Award report, we have identified five key priority areas for our School:

• Establish and maintain the sort of learning experience in philosophy that encourages all students including female, gender non-binary or other minority students to engage and flourish.
• Improve the School’s EDI culture.
• Improve the workload modelling and assignment of roles within the School to ensure fairness and diversity.
• Improve induction, mentoring and training of staff, with a view to strengthening career progression.
• Ensure fair recruitment of staff.

Our current Gender Equality Action Plan includes dozens of actions intended to address these priority areas that will be implemented in the next few years, with a number of initiatives already underway.

Implementation of the Athena SWAN Gender Equality Action Plan will be overseen by:

• Assoc. Prof. Daniel Esmonde Deasy
• Asst. Prof. Lisa Foran

View UCD School of Philosophy’s signed Commitment to the Athena Swan Ireland Charter Principles.