15th department gets national gender equality award

The Department of Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies (LiFTS) is the latest department to earn a national higher education award in response to its commitment to gender equality.

LiFTS has been awarded a bronze Athena Swan award, which recognises commitment to advancing gender equality in higher education for staff and students.

Athena Swan awards are managed by Advance HE. This latest award brings the total number of Essex departments with awards to 15. The aim is for all to have at least a bronze award.

Professor Matthew De Abaitua, Head of the Department, said: “A learning community thrives on openness and transparency and for that, we need equality, diversity and inclusivity embedded in everything we do. I’m delighted that rigorous consultation across the department, which has highlighted all the good work we do and where we can do more, has resulted in this award.”

The LiFTS application was led by Professor Maria Cristina Fumagalli, Dr Tasos Giapoutzis and Dr Joanna Rzepa. Their departmental consultation and award submission showed that the majority of staff felt departmental leaders actively support gender equality and that there is a strong sense of belonging.

The judging panel praised the Department for its appointment of inclusivity leads and a student inclusion and diversity officer, and also for its proactive approach to building in checks and ongoing reviews of its action plan.

As part of the Athena Swan submission, departments commit to an ambitious five-year action plan which ensures they are even more inclusive, respectful and fair. Key priorities identified for LiFTS are to enhance equality diversity and inclusion in departmental culture; continue to increase inclusivity in teaching and learning; improve communication and foster a sense of belonging; and further embed equality, diversity and inclusivity work in the leadership structure.

Elaine Brown, the University's Director of Inclusion, said: “This latest Athena Swan award is a reflection of our University-wide commitment to improving gender equality and recognition that our proactive approach is working. I’m very proud of all the staff who worked so hard on the Department’s submission.”

As well as 15 departmental awards, the University also holds an institutional award.