Athena Swan Gold success for Hull York Medical School

Hull York Medical School has received a Gold Award in the Athena Swan Charter, the highest level to be achieved. 

Advance HE’s Athena Swan Charter a framework which is used to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research. Originally focused on encouraging and recognising commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM), the charter is now used to address gender inequality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women. The Gold award recognises outstanding commitment to gender equality in higher education and demonstrates sustained and significant progress towards gender equality.  

Professor Matthew Morgan, Dean of Hull York Medical School, says: ‘Achieving our Gold Award is a significant achievement for the Medical School and one which I am extremely proud of. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) are at the heart of all we do and this award reflects our commitment to creating an inclusive, supportive culture which celebrates diversity and enables staff and students to achieve their potential.’ 

The Medical School is one of a small number of medical schools in the UK to have achieved a Gold award. The School went through a rigorous application process during which an independent panel of EDI experts considered its work towards gender equality and its impact; longitudinal progress including against the existing Athena Swan Silver action plan, as well as its work with other Medical School’s to promote good practice across the medical school and NHS sector.  

Dr Laura Sadofsky, Senior Lecturer in Respiratory Medicine and Chair of the School’s Athena Swan committee said: ‘We started our Athena Swan Journey in 2013 and since then colleagues across the School have worked together and through our EDI committee to better understand and take meaningful action to address gender inequality. I would like to thank everyone who has played a part in this achievement – the Gold award reflects our collective and unwavering commitment to gender equality at Hull York Medical School.’ 

Find out more about equality, diversity and inclusion at Hull York Medical School