Athena SWAN at LIT
In March 2020 Limerick Institute of Technology was awarded the Athena SWAN Bronze Award by Advance HE. The aim of the Athena SWAN initiative is to effect cultural and systemic change in higher education institutions by promoting gender equality, progression and equality for all.
LIT has achieved this award under the expanded Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises work undertaken across the Institute to address gender equality more broadly, including barriers to progression that affect women. A self-assessment team, with members drawn from across the Institute, was established to carry out a detailed assessment and consultation process, under the guidance and direction of LIT's Equality & Diversity Steering Committee, which is chaired by the President of LIT, Professor Vincent Cunnane. Through this process, a four year Gender Equality Action Plan has been prepared and implementation of this is now underway.
In receiving the award, LIT's Vice President for Academic Affairs and Registrar, Marian Duggan who was appointed LIT’s first Vice President of Equality & Diversity in 2020 said, “The Athena SWAN awards recognise a solid foundation for eliminating gender bias and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff. I am delighted that LIT’s commitment to inclusivity was recognised. We continue to look forward to focusing on, and implementing, our ambitious Athena SWAN Bronze action plan.”
Professor Cunnane added, “We adopted the Athena SWAN Charter as a guide to driving its principles deep within the organisation and bring about change. We welcome Athena SWAN’s endorsement of our submission which focused on striving for a culture that is conducive to equality, diversity and inclusion.”
