Equality and inclusion

Supporting, promoting and celebrating equality in education

The Department of Sociology has been awarded the prestigious Athena SWAN bronze award. The Athena SWAN Charter was established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment in higher education and research.

In May 2015, the charter was expanded to recognise work undertaken in arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law (AHSSBL), and in professional and support roles, and for trans staff and students. The charter now recognises work undertaken to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.

Visit the Athena SWAN website to learn more about the application process and the criteria for receiving a bronze award.

Championing research on gender

The Department of Sociology has a long history of groundbreaking, innovative work on gender, sexuality and inequality. Below are listed some recent activities of five outstanding academics at different stages of their careers, from PhD students to full Professors, all of whom have an interest in gender equality.

Modules on gender taught by the Department

Sharing our rich knowledge and understanding of gender is an integral part of what we do in the Department of Sociology. Many of our teaching modules introduce key theories to our students as together we examine society's understanding of gender. Through our teaching we help our students to think critically about how gender shapes our understanding and construct of the society we live in. Below we showcase some of our most exciting modules:

Resources for all in the department

Our department fosters an inclusive research and teaching environment. Below is a list of some of the resources available to those in the department and across the University of Essex.