Gender Equality Action Plan

SETU Waterford Gender Equality Action Plan

SETU Waterford has been working on the implementation of a wide range of gender equality initiatives since 2016. This includes working towards the achievement of an Athena SWAN Bronze award since 2017, and the implementation of the HEA’s recommendations in its National Review of Gender Equality in Irish Higher Education Institution (HEA, 2016) and subsequent Accelerating Gender Equality in Irish Higher Education Institutions Gender Action Plan 2018-2020 (HEA, 2018).  

In 2018, informed by a significant evidence base gathered as part of WIT’s Athena SWAN self-assessment process, SETU Waterford published its ambitious Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) 2018-2021, (click here to access the plan: SETU Waterford Athena SWAN Action Plan 2018-2022) which was endorsed by its Executive Board and approved by Governing Body. This was the culmination of a thorough institutional wider review of gender equality structures, policies, procedures, and culture in WIT, and set out a set out a path to further enhancing gender equality work in WIT.

Gender Equality Action Plan Progress Report

Implementation of this plan has been underway since 2018, and in 2021, SETU Waterford undertook a review of progress to date in the form it’s Gender Equality Action Plan 2018-2021 Progress Report. This report highlights that 63% of actions in the GEAP are now completed, or in progress. Just 7% have not yet been progressed, and the remaining 30% of the actions set out in the GEAP are planned, many in the context of the new TU.  While the COVID 19 pandemic impacted our ability to deliver on some elements of our GEAP within the targeted timeframe, it has strengthened our resolve to push ahead to ensure that equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) initiatives and commitments continue to be advanced and/or fulfilled.

Gender Equality Action Plan & Horizon Europe

In January 2022, SETU Waterford also undertook a comprehensive review and mapping exercise to ensure that SETU Waterford could evidence full compliance with all of the Horizon Europe Gender Equality Plan requirements and recommendations. This report can be found here (SETU Waterford Horizon Europe GEP Mapping Jan 2022). Further to this, the President has published a signed declaration that existing SETU Waterford gender equality strategies and plans meet the eligibility criterion for Horizon Europe (Horizon Europe SETU Waterford Signed Declaration on Gender Action Plan).

For further information on any the above, please contact [email protected]