Plymouth Marjon University achieves gender equality award

Released: 01.05.25

Plymouth Marjon University is proud to announce that it has been awarded the Athena Swan Bronze Award in recognition of its commitment to gender equality within higher education. 

The award was granted in a letter from Dani Glazzard, Head of Athena Swan for Advance HE, which confirmed that the University’s submission met the required standards. Glazzard wrote: "I am delighted to inform you that the panel agreed that the submission had reached the required standard for a Bronze award. We would like to congratulate you on this achievement, and look forward to your continued involvement with the Athena Swan Charter." 

The Athena Swan Charter is a globally recognised framework designed to support and transform gender equality in higher education and research. Originally launched in 2005 to advance the careers of women in STEMM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths, and Medicine) fields, it has since broadened to promote equality for all genders and address barriers to progression in academia. 

The Charter plays a vital role in helping institutions achieve their gender equality objectives by: 

• Assisting in meeting equality legislation requirements and expectations from research councils and funders. 

• Using a self-assessment framework to encourage positive actions and recognise best practices. 

• Promoting inclusive working practices to improve staff retention and create an equitable working environment for all. 

This achievement is a significant milestone in Plymouth Marjon University’s ongoing commitment to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment. The University continues to prioritise equality within its Marjon 2030 strategy, which focuses on three key pillars: Student Success, Research and Knowledge Exchange, and Place and Social Purpose. These pillars guide the work of staff and students in promoting equality in the workplace and embedding it throughout the curriculum. 

Professor Claire Taylor, Vice-Chancellor at Marjon, said: 

“We are proud to be an inclusive and fair organisation, a place where everyone feels represented and considered and the Athena Swan Award highlights our commitment to our Marjon community.” 

The awarding panel commended the University’s use of Equality Impact Assessments, which review policies, practices and decision-making to make sure they are fair and equitable. The panel also commented on the development of staff networks and its focus on raising awareness of the University’s physical space and how this supports the needs of diverse groups.  

Miles Smith, Chair of the Marjon Self-Assessment Team, added:  

“The Athena Swan Bronze Award recognises the great work we already do around gender equality at Marjon; it also creates an opportunity to enhance this work, and we hope everyone in our community will both experience visible change and engage with us as we undertake this important work.” 

Plymouth Marjon University’s receipt of the Athena Swan Bronze Award demonstrates its dedication to creating a more equitable and inclusive academic community for all its staff, students, and stakeholders. 

Find opportunities to join the Marjon community as a student or member of staff at marjon.ac.uk.