Athena Swan in SHW
International Group for Staff and Students
Chair: Samuel Owusu Achiaw
Co-chairs: Dikshyanta Rana and Manuela Deidda
The newly formed Athena Swan International Group for Staff and Students (AS IGSS) is a platform committed to addressing the unique and intersectional challenges faced by international staff and students, as well as exploring the impact of these challenges on their academic, professional, mental, and social wellbeing. These challenges include those around visas, immigration, and travel; settling in Glasgow; work-life balance; social engagement; and belongingness.
The group will also serve as a community for international staff and students to network, connect, and share experiences.
Peer support for international staff
We are pleased to offer informal peer support for international staff and students within the School. This initiative connects international staff and students with peers who understand the challenges of relocating, settling into Glasgow, navigating life in a new environment, or other challenges related to being an international staff or student. We provide a safe space for conversation, practical advice, and encouragement from colleagues who may have had similar experiences. If you would like such support, please reach out to the Chair or Co-Chairs of the working group.
Visas and Immigration
Visas and Immigration - Information for prospective international staff
Immigration Support Session
The SHW Athena Swan Working Group for International Staff and Students, together with the University’s UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) Compliance Team, organised a dedicated immigration support session for staff on 14th November 2025. This was a hybrid event with over 40 colleagues participating. The session was designed to address an important need identified through staff feedback, recognising the significant professional and personal impact that immigration issues can have.
Opened to the wider College, the session included presentations from representatives of the University’s UKVI Team and an immigration solicitor, covering key immigration topics such as visa routes, right-to-work requirements, and changes to immigration policy. Colleagues were given the opportunity to ask questions and raise concerns in a supportive and confidential environment, with the session highlighting the range of institutional resources and external support available. Further one-on-one support and advice were offered.
Feedback from attendees emphasised the value of having clear, accessible information and a dedicated space to discuss immigration-related issues, which can often feel complex or overwhelming. As the first initiative of its kind, the session reflects the School’s ongoing commitment, through Athena Swan, to fostering an inclusive and supportive working environment for all staff.
Staff Consultation
For the 2025/26 academic year, the Athena Swan Staff Consultation Group is collaborating with the International Staff and Students Working Group to explore international staff experiences of joining SHW or supporting staff to join SHW. The consultation exercise comprises in-depth qualitative interviews with individual staff/focus groups and culminates in the outlining of actionable recommendations for SHW. Please contact the chairs of either working groups to find out more.
