Athena SWAN is a Charter that recognises and acknowledges an institution's commitment to gender equality. When it was first introduced, the charter focused on the equality and progression for female academics and researchers in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM).  However, since 2015, Athena SWAN has been extended to address gender equality issues more widely.

The Charter now covers the areas of arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and includes professional and support roles.  The extended remit involves support for trans staff and students and consideration of areas demonstrating underachievement and underrepresentation of men.  Athena SWAN also recognises that individuals have identities shaped by several different factors and encourages evaluation of the intersection of gender and other factors, wherever possible.

In November 2020, following the Government’s publication of Reducing bureaucratic burden in research, innovation and higher education and the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) announcement that they will no longer require academic partners to hold a Silver Award of the Athena Swan Charter, the Queen Mary's Gender Equality Self-Assessment Team reiterated their support for the Athena Swan Charter: GESAT statement reaffirming commitment to Athena Swan (Nov.20) [PDF 525KB].