Gender: our work
ECU's gender work is designed to assist HEIs embed gender equality for staff and students and promote cultural change
Staff
Although there has been significant progress in increasing numbers of female staff working in the higher education sector, women are still underrepresented at the senior level and in science, technology, engineering, medicine and mathematics (STEMM). ECU manages and co-funds the Athena SWAN scheme to promote and recognise good employment practice for women in STEMM. ECU is also assessing the impact that mentoring schemes can have on women's career development.
The gap in mean hourly earnings reported in the 2008 JNCHES Review of Higher Education Finance and Pay Data is currently standing at 20.3%. Working with the Welsh Liaison Group, ECU is leading a project to explore how equality can be embedded in the pay review process, with a particular focus on the involvement of equality practitioners and the role of pay reviews.
Students
There is also growing concern in the sector about male student participation and attainment in higher education. There are now more female than male students, and on average women get more good degrees than men. During 2010 ECU will be exploring male student trends and experience in higher education.
ECU is working to help institutions improve their support for students during pregnancy, maternity and paternity.
Gender projects
You can find details of all our gender projects here: