University achieves another Athena SWAN Silver Award for J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics 

University of Galway has achieved a significant accolade in the advancement of gender equality, with J. E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics securing an Athena SWAN Silver Award. 

J. E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics is only the second School of Business in the Republic of Ireland to achieve such a standard.

The Athena SWAN Silver award recognises the commitment to advancing gender equality for both staff and students, and in creating evidenced cultural change within the University, and the internationally recognised accolade was awarded for the School’s gender equality achievements, advancing from its Bronze Award in 2020.  

This latest accreditation sees a total of ten Bronze Awards and two Silver Awards in the University, along with an Institutional Bronze Award which was renewed in 2021. Twelve out of the University’s eighteen schools now hold Athena SWAN Awards.  

            University of Galway Vice-President for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, Dr Helen Maher, said: “All of us at University of Galway are sharing in the congratulations for J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics. We are greatly encouraged by the significant progress our university has made on gender equality, particularly in the College of Business Public Policy and Law – where all three Schools have achieved Athena SWAN awards.  

“Achieving a second Silver Award in our University demonstrates that we remain focused and committed to embedding equality, diversity and inclusion in our culture and our collective responsibilities.”  

            Professor Alma McCarthy, Dean of J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics, said:   “I am very pleased that our School has received this award as a testament to our commitment to gender equality. The Athena SWAN process is a rigorous external assessment process requiring evidence of action and progress. We worked on over 50 gender equality actions to achieve the Silver award. I commend all my colleagues for their commitment to equality and living our value of respect for all.”

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