TU Dublin Renews Bronze Athena Swan Award, Strengthening Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Technological University Dublin (TU Dublin) has successfully renewed its Bronze Athena Swan Award until 2030, reaffirming its strong and sustained commitment to advancing gender equality and fostering an inclusive academic environment.
The Athena Swan Ireland Charter, led by Advance HE in partnership with the Higher Education Authority, provides a nationally significant framework for embedding gender equality across higher education and research. TU Dublin’s renewed award reflects meaningful progress and an ongoing dedication to impactful, evidence-based action.
To support the renewal process, TU Dublin established a dedicated Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team (SAT), tasked with evaluating gender equality and broader inclusion issues across the University. The SAT brought together representatives from across TU Dublin to work through focused groups on data, action planning, communications, student engagement, and best practices. Their work culminated in a robust renewal application and a forward-looking action plan that will guide the University’s EDI priorities over the coming years.
Dr Deirdre Lillis, President of TU Dublin, welcomed the renewal:
The renewal of TU Dublin’s Athena Swan Bronze Award strengthens our commitment to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion across every aspect of university life. It reflects the collective efforts of our staff and students to date, and provides momentum as we continue to drive meaningful, measurable change across the University. It also reinforces TU Dublin’s role as an exemplar in EDI across the higher education sector and nationally, as we continue to lead, learn, and deliver lasting impact.
Lianne Rooney, Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Lead (Gender Equity) and Chair of the Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team, added:
The successful renewal of the Athena Swan Bronze award represents an important milestone for TU Dublin. The panel recognised the honesty and reflection of the award submission, and commended completed actions such as the Equality and Sustainability Impact Assessment (ESIA) process, the development of a maternity booklet for pregnant employees and the network of EDI Champions in place.
As Chair, I’d like to sincerely thank the 14 other members of the self-assessment team (SAT) for their thoughtful and engaged commitment to the renewal process. I also want to acknowledge the contribution of all those in the university community who gave their time and insight by completing surveys, taking part in focus groups, preparing data and offering feedback on proposed actions. I now look forward to leading the implementation of the new action plan over the next five years.
Commenting on the achievement, Sarah Fink, Head of Athena Swan Ireland, said:
This Bronze Athena Swan award highlights the fantastic commitment of Technological University Dublin in bringing about change through impactful and sustainable gender equality initiatives in higher education across Ireland. Congratulations to all those who work so hard to achieve and sustain this recognition.
Dr Jennie Rothwell, Centre of Excellence for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Higher Education Authority, added:
Action plans developed through the Athena Swan Ireland Charter enable higher education institutions and departments to take an evidence-based approach to addressing gender equality challenges. Congratulations to Technological University Dublin in taking this step forward to advance gender equality for all staff and students.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) is central to TU Dublin’s mission, with a strong focus on access, equity, and representation, alongside policies promoting gender balance, anti-racism, and accessibility. The University supports fair recruitment and progression through ongoing training and maintains balanced representation in leadership. This renewed Bronze Award marks both an achievement and a platform for continued progress, as TU Dublin advances its action plan to deliver measurable impact in gender equality and inclusion.