Lancaster University Management School (LUMS) has been awarded an Athena Swan Bronze award in recognition of its commitment to advancing gender equality.

LUMS’ accreditation was confirmed today after its first ever application was reviewed by an independent panel. The School will now hold the Bronze award until 2026.

Professor Angus Laing, Dean of Lancaster University Management School, said: “We are delighted to be presented with this award. It recognises crucial progress being made and the true determination with which our LUMS community is rising to the challenge of closing the gender gap – having open and honest conversations, making meaningful change and adapting processes to ensure all our staff feel empowered and supported.

“To achieve our ambitions as one of the world’s leading management schools, we need the best, diverse minds; to both guide our students and to continue generating our top-ranking research which, ultimately, helps shape society.

“I am personally committed to leading on the development of a diverse and equitable culture within LUMS. There is still work to be done but with inclusivity as one of our top priorities over the coming years, we will continue to build on this success to ensure all staff and students can fulfil their true potential.”

Professor Claire Leitch is the Deputy Dean for LUMS and the School’s Athena Swan lead. She said: “It is fantastic to get recognition of the progress being made within LUMS. It was important to us that our submission had input from the entire Management School and our in-depth analysis uncovered many great things, while also identifying areas we can get stronger in.

“While Covid-19 has emphasised some positive changes such as flexible working; for some, the pandemic has really brought the gender divide into sharp focus. We have a strong action plan in place that I am confident will offer further support to staff, and I look forward to reporting on further improvements over the coming months and years.”

The Athena Swan Charter was formed in 2005 to challenge the under-representation and inequalities of women within science at higher education and research levels. In 2015, this was broadened to include Business and Law, the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, as well as looking at issues around gender equality more widely.

Lancaster University has held an institutional Bronze award since 2008, which has been successfully renewed in 2012, 2014, and again in 2020 following a submission in 2019.

For more information about Lancaster University’s work on gender equality and the Athena Swan awards please visit Lancaster University’s EDI webpage: https://www.lancaster.ac.uk/edi/athena-swan/