Gender equality expert Melanie to help inform national Higher Education policy

A senior academic from the University of Northampton has been appointed to a role which will see her inform national Higher Education policy in relation to gender equality.

Dr Melanie Crofts, Senior Lecturer in Law, has accepted an invitation to sit on the Athena SWAN working group, which advises the Equality Challenge Unit (ECU) on its objectives, processes and operation.

The ECU set up the Athena SWAN Charter in 2005 to combat the under representation of women working in science, technology, engineering, maths and medicine (STEMM).  In 2015, the Charter expanded to include arts, humanities, social sciences, business and law. The Charter now also covers the career progression of Professional Support and Technical staff working in the Higher Education sector.

“I am thrilled to have been invited to participate in the working group,” said Melanie.

“This will be an opportunity to draw on my expertise and provide advice and guidance on the operation of the Athena SWAN Charter and consider its objectives, processes and influence national equality policy within Higher Education.”

The ECU works to further and support equality and diversity for staff and students in Higher Education institutions across the UK and in colleges in Scotland. It provides a central resource of advice and guidance for the sector.