The Athena SWAN Charter awards, funded by the Equality Challenge Unit, recognise three levels of achievement ¨C gold, silver and bronze ¨C at both departmental and university level.

Before this year, only one department ¨C that of chemistry at the University of York ¨C had earned a gold award. According to Sarah Dickinson, the awards coordinator, such departments are ¡°beacons of achievement in gender equality, and they champion and promote good practice to the wider community¡±.

In the latest round of the twice-yearly awards, four institutions ¨C the University of Aberdeen; Birkbeck, University of London; Brunel University; and the University of East Anglia ¨C received bronze awards. This makes a total of 42 universities that have received a bronze award since the scheme began in 2005.

Almost 80 institutions have now signed the Athena SWAN charter, which makes them eligible to apply for awards.

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In the latest round, seven departments received silver awards, which means that they have ¡°a significant record of activity and achievement¡± and have ¡°implemented activities and can demonstrate their impact so far¡±. A total of 52 departments now hold silver awards.

Bronze awards have been bestowed on 11 departments. These recognise that they have ¡°identified particular challenges¡± and are ¡°planning activities to address these in the future¡±. The number of departments with bronze awards is now .

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Ms Dickinson said: ¡°I hope that the [new] achievements announced will help to encourage others to raise their sights to keep up with the competition.¡±

paul.jump@tsleducation.com