ECU Gender Equality Charter Mark (GEM)

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• ECU Gender Equality Charter Mark (GEM)
• Sandra Beaufoy

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WHAT IS GEM?

• Gender Equality Charter Mark
• Similar to Athena SWAN, but for Arts, Humanities
  and Social Science
• Institutional and departmental level of award
• Submission at Bronze, Silver and Gold level
• Submission includes an Action Plan

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What are the aims of GEM?

• GEM aims to address gender inequalities and
  imbalance in the arts, humanities and social
  sciences, in particular the underrepresentation
  of women in senior roles.
• GEM covers academic staff, professional and
  support staff, men, women and gender identity.

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Will GEM replace Athena SWAN?

• GEM utilises the experience and methodology of
  Athena SWAN.
• The Equality Challenge Unit manages both Athena
  and GEM.
• The Athena SWAN Charter will continue to operate
  as it currently stands, with a view to bringing
  the Charter Marks together in the future.

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Principles of GEM

• To address gender inequalities, commitment and
  action at all levels
• The absence of diversity in management and at
  policy-making levels
• That employment policies, practices and
  procedures actively promote gender equality
• Broad range of work activity is recognised in
  career progression/promotion

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PRINCIPLES OF GEM - Cont

• Personal and structural obstacles to making the
  transition from u/g level to PhD and then into
  senior academic roles
• To tackle unequal representation of women or men
  requires changing cultures and attitudes
• The system of short-term contracts

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GEM Trial

• The ECU piloted a trial of GEM which culminated
  with submissions in April 2014.
• Warwick Business School (WBS) registered
  interest in the trial.
• 10 Institutions and 28 departments took part in
  the trial.
• WBS - submitted an application for a Bronze award.

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Formal Launch of GEM

• GEM will be launched in November 2014
• It is not yet known what the final submission
  form will look like and when the first submission
  round will be (possibly April or November 2015)
• Data templates

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Self Assessment Team

• Diverse membership key personnel, such as u/g
  and p/g admissions tutors, outreach officer,
  academics, HR and admin staff
• Academics at different career stages
• New staff
• Staff who work part time, flexible working
  patterns, have had career breaks

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Why should my department participate in GEM?

• To improve awareness of gender equality and to
  tackle gender issues
• To have the opportunity to scrutinise current
  procedures and processes
• To improve communication across the department
• Reputation
• To give a voice to staff, who may not otherwise
  be heard

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For further information

• ECU Website
• http//www.ecu.ac.uk/our-projects/gender-charter-m
  ark
• Trial award materials
• http//www.ecu.ac.uk/our-projects/gender-equality-
  charter-marks-trial-awards-materials
• Warwick Contact
• Sandra Beaufoy on 74479 s.beaufoy_at_warwick.ac.uk
• Claire Martin on 22356 c.martin_at_wawrick.ac.uk

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Any Questions?
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Gender Equality Charter Mark (GEM)

• WBS Experience

• Oliver Cooper, WBS Administrative Officer
  (Academic Services)
• Jen Henderson, WBS HR Officer

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Top 5 Benefits for Applying for GEM

1. High profile institutionally and nationally
2. Uncovers unknown best practice and areas of
   concern
3. Positive impact and raised awareness
4. Sharing best practice with other departments
5. Equality and Welfare Committee

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Top 5 Challenges Faced

1. Resource heavy
2. Retrieving data
3. Recording data
4. Spread ownership of Action Plan
5. Communication and participation

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Top 5 Tips

1. Head of Department to Chair meetings
2. Record data available in house and keep a tracker
   so you can chase data requested
3. Choose carefully the membership of the
   Self-Assessment Team
4. Assign colleagues to draft answers to specific
   questions
5. Attend Athena Network or equivalent and share
   best practice

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5 Quick Wins

1. Unconscious Bias Training for Senior Staff
2. Online training modules for all staff strongly
   encouraged
3. Conduct UKRC Survey to assess perceptions. This
   could be conducted again prior to submission
4. Attend Athena Network or equivalent
5. Review committee membership and timings