Athena Swan in SHW
Athena SWAN Professional Services Staff Working Group – 10 Years of Making a Difference
As co-chairs of the Professional Services (PS) Staff Working Group, we wanted to take a moment to introduce ourselves and share a little about what we do – especially as this year marks ten years since the group first came together.
Ten whole years! That’s a lot of meetings, members, action points, and – let’s be honest – the equivalent of a small ocean of caffeinated beverages accompanied by serious amounts of biscuits and home baking. For energy and focus. Obviously.
We set up way back in 2015 with a simple but important aim: to make sure the voices of PS colleagues are not just heard but listened to and respected within the School of Health & Wellbeing. Over those years, the group has grown into a lively mix of Professional Services and academic colleagues, creating a space where different perspectives meet, insights are shared, connections made and solutions actually happen. It’s this mix that makes our discussions so productive, relevant and valuable. Plus, we can also confirm that the craic runs strong in Athena Swan PSS too.
What We’re About
At its heart, the group is about fairness, wellbeing, and opportunity. We look at whether, when compared to other University staff, PS staff are treated equitably, if their career development is supported and how the School can create a workplace where every employee thrives. We meet a few times each year, set action plans, and feed into the School’s wider Athena SWAN Gold Action Plan 2023–28. We know how important it is for our meetings to feel welcoming and we’re always on the lookout for potential new members. Please shoot either of us an email if you’re thinking “hmmm, this might be the Athena Swan group for me” and, to answer your next question, yes, a pack of Jaffa Cakes will 100% get you in the door.
As we’ve already mentioned while we strive to achieve our current goals and plan future ones to benefit SHW’s PS staff, it's not all reports, actions and minutes. While modesty (obviously) prevents us from telling you how downright fabulous our membership is, we can share that our meetings are friendly, informal, and the eclectic membership often means we spark ideas and find productive solutions that can be implemented.
10 Years of Achievements
Looking back, the group has done a lot! From helping make flexible working a reality to exploring leadership training opportunities and embedding PS staff into University-wide initiatives like Career Pathways, it’s been a decade of steady, impacting and meaningful change. Most importantly, the group has fostered a culture of peer support and inclusivity; proving that small, consistent efforts make a big difference. One of our proudest moments was in May 2019, when we hosted an event to raise awareness about invisible disabilities. Chaired by Professor Jill Morrison, with an introduction from Disability Champion Professor Frank Coton, it featured real-life experiences, tips from HR and Occupational Health, and lots of honest conversations. A real example of awareness turned into action.
Ten years on, we’d love for you to be part of the next decade of making SHW an even better place to work. Come along, have a chat, eat biscuits and share your ideas. We are already looking forward to meeting you!
Rona Strawbridge, Chair of SHW Athena SWAN: Rona.Strawbridge@glasgow.ac.uk
Contact the co-chairs, Suzy Syrett: Suzanne.Syrett@glasgow.ac.uk and Magda Gamrat: Magdalena.Gamrat@glasgow.ac.uk
