Athena SWAN in SHW
LGBTQ+ staff and student issues, aspirations and development
Chairs
Olivia Hamilton and Caroline Haig
Who can join this group?
The same way all colours joined together make the rainbow and all LGBTQ+ flags, all types of people can make the Athena Swan LGBTQ+ Working Group. Anyone can be what we call an "ally". We welcome anyone who is willing to contribute to the group, independently of gender identity or sexual orientation. We expect the group to be as diverse as possible, and include staff members and students from a range of grades, job families, and ages.
Aims
The main aims of the LGBTQ+ group are:
- To collect and report on data related to LGBTQ+ workers and students within SHW;
- To identify and address any issue regarding working environment experienced by LGBTQ+ SHW staff members and students;
- To identify and address any issue regarding equal opportunities experienced by LGBTQ+ SHW staff members and students;
- To report on career and personal development opportunities in the LGBTQ+ theme for staff and students in SHW, including managerial staff members;
- To monitor and feedback on LGBTQ+ related activities;
- To include LGBTQ+ related training in the new staff and line manager induction material, and monitor its effect;
- To ensure the interests of the LGBTQ+ community are well represented within SHW.
Activities/achievements
- We have responded to issues raised by LGBTQ+ students and staff within SHW and sought appropriate solutions, such as the provision of gender neutral toilets at SHW events.
- We spearheaded the inclusion of pronouns on University staff profile webpages.
- In response to results of the SHW staff culture survey, we organised an Allies Learning Lunch with award winning third sector organisation Pride Outside, which was attended by 60 School members.
- In 2024 the group was successful in gaining MVLS EDI funding to host Pride Outside to deliver two training sessions for College staff and students on LGBTQ+ Inclusion and Gender Diversity.
- Discussions from the workshops held with Pride Outside formed the basis of an LGBTQ+ Action Plan for SHW.
- In 2021, we appointed two safe allies for the School.
Our LGBTQ+ Athena Swan safe allies exist to ensure SHW is a safe, supportive and inclusive environment for everyone. They champion LGBTQ+ issues and are available as a safe and confidential point of contact for anyone wishing to discuss any concerns. Our safe allies are Kate O’Donnell (Kate.O'Donnell@glasgow.ac.uk) and Helen Minnis (Helen.Minnis@glasgow.ac.uk). Should you wish to chat to Kate or Helen in confidence, please get in touch with them via email. For more serious matters, we encourage contact with the university-appointed respect advisers.
