Congratulations to Sport and Exercise Sciences – the first school in the university to achieve the Athena SWAN Silver Award. 

Athena SWAN is a national benchmarking scheme to advance the careers of women in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine but now applies across all disciplines in higher education.

The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences gained Bronze Award in 2019, then a university first.  

Good practice awards were noted for the School’s work on gender equality, an inclusive curriculum, diversity and inclusion, and for the appointment of a strategic lead for EDI.

Dr Rebecca Murphy, Director of the School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, said: “We are absolutely delighted to receive the Athena SWAN Silver Award, which reflects our School’s sustained commitment to advancing gender equality.

“Since achieving Bronze in 2019, we have embedded EDI within our culture, from fostering an inclusive curriculum to increasing representation in leadership and decision-making.

“Over the next five years, we will build on this progress, ensuring that inclusion remains at the heart of everything we do. I want to thank our staff, students, and partners for their dedication in making this achievement possible.”

Moni Akinsanya, LJMU Associate Director, Diversity and Inclusion, said: "As the university continues to work towards progressing gender equality through the set Athena SWAN action plan, other LJMU departments also are presently working towards applying for their own Athena SWAN Award as a catalyst for change, and we wish them every success with their applications."

For further information on LJMU Athena SWAN activities, please email Equality@ljmu.ac.uk

In 2024, The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences celebrates 50 years of delivering sport science degrees; being the first university to run a degree course in the discipline. See our Special Commemoration webpages.