Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice awarded Athena SWAN Bronze Award
The Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice (CCJ) at NTU are pleased to announce that they have been granted the Athena SWAN Bronze Award in May 2025, with no revisions to the application.
By Joe Boultby-Ward | Published on 3 June 2025
Categories: Current students; School of Social Sciences;
The Athena Swan Charter is a framework to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research. Established in 2005 to encourage and recognise commitment to advancing the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM) employment, the Charter is now being used across the globe to address gender equality more broadly, and not just barriers to progression that affect women.
Advance HE members can apply for institutional and departmental Athena Swan awards recognising their gender equality efforts. There are three levels of Athena Swan Award – Bronze, Silver and Gold. This was the first Athena Swan application submitted by the Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice.
Athena Swan awards recognise policies and practices that promote a positive and inclusive environment for all. By being part of Athena Swan, NTU CCJ is committing to a progressive charter that adopts the Athena Swan ten key principles within their policies, practices, action plans and culture.
Dr Irene Zempi (She/Her), Associate Professor in Criminology and Lead of the CCJ AS application stated: “Athena Swan has a proven impact as a catalyst for change, leading to organisational and cultural transformation that makes a real difference. Achieving this award demonstrates the Department’s commitment to embedding equity, diversity, and inclusion in everything we do. This award is a powerful recognition of our commitment to creating a truly inclusive environment where everyone - regardless of gender - can achieve their maximum potential”.
Dr Clare Williams, Head of Criminology and Criminal Justice stated: "I am extremely proud of all the hard work the CCJ team have put into the Athena Swan application. I am looking forward to working together on the action plan to build further on the excellent work that we do in the Department."
The Department will now work to an action plan that will:
- Support the career development for staff of all genders
- Promote values of diversity, belonging and inclusion in the departmental community
- Increase trust, transparency and sustainability by making governance and decision-making processes visible to all
- Improve diversity, equity and inclusion in terms of recruitment, degree attainment & completion rates for students of all genders
- Ensure all student and staff voices are heard