Membership fees
Athena SWAN Charter membership gives institutions access to a network of other institutions and departments interested in promoting female academics and researchers in science, engineering and technology (SET) disciplines in the UK Higher Education sector. Institutions and departments have been able to apply for awards that recognise their good practice in supporting women in SET and as part of this have been able to attend awards workshops, receive publications sharing good practice, and attend award ceremonies.
The Charter has grown from 10 founding members in 2005 to over 60 members currently. There are 87 current award holders. Up to now it has been possible to become a member of the Athena SWAN Charter and submit for an award free of charge.
The approximate running cost per year of Athena SWAN and its related activities now totals just over £100,000. In addition to this, a number of individuals from universities and related organisations volunteer their time to the Charter. They speak at events, serve on Athena SWAN Charter awards assessment panels, and sit on the Athena SWAN Charter Steering Committee. Based on the current membership, the true annual cost per member is in the region of £2,000.
Over recent years the membership of the Athena SWAN Charter has grown consistently and the numbers of Athena SWAN Charter award submissions received each year has substantially increased. The Charter is booming, and additional sources of funding are required.
Athena SWAN is receiving more support from SET professional and learned societies and organisations. Nevertheless, the Athena SWAN Steering Committee has taken the decision to introduce a membership fee applicable from April 2012.
The membership fee will be set at £1,000 per member per year. For current members the effective date will be April 2012. When new members join the Charter, the membership fee will be effective annually from the date of joining. The membership fee represents a contribution to the overall costs. Athena SWAN will still require significant levels of funding, currently met by ECU.
- Attend Athena SWAN awards workshops and other events
- Request national benchmarking data
- Receive free Athena SWAN publications
- Have access to a members-only area on the website
If Charter members do not agree to pay the membership fee, then their membership
will be terminated, any awards held by the institution or departments will no
longer be valid, and they will be removed from all Athena SWAN materials.