School of Architecture and Environment Athena Swan

Bronze Athena Swan award

The Athena Swan Charter recognises commitment to the advancement of gender equality in academia, including professional and support roles. The School of Architecture and Environment was awarded Athena Swan Bronze Award in September 2026.

Advancing Gender Equality at the School of Architecture and Environment

Since September 2025, the School of Architecture and Environment has worked with staff to understand experiences of gender equality and inclusion and identify priorities for meaningful change.

Drawing on consultation, feedback and detailed data analysis, we reviewed our culture, policies and practices to recognise strengths and identify areas for improvement.

In September 2026, we were delighted to receive an Athena Swan Bronze Award, recognising our commitment to gender equality and to fostering a fairer, more inclusive environment that supports wellbeing, progression and student success.

Our work continues through the delivery of our 2026–2031 Action Plan.

An Athena Swan Steering Group will oversee four priority-area working groups:

• Representation, Recruitment, Progression and Leadership
• Inclusive Education, Student Experience and Awarding Gaps
• Workload, Wellbeing and Inclusive Culture
• Data, Evaluation, Engagement and Communications.

The self-assessment team (SAT)

• Louise Ainsley - School Manager, School of Architecture and Environment
• Muhammad Arslan - Research Fellow in Digital and Sustainable Construction
• Lidia Badarnah - Associate Professor in Architecture, AS co-lead
• Annie Bellamy - Senior Lecturer in Architecture
• Louise Ciotti - Senior Lecturer in Architecture, Retrofit and Conservation (PhD candidate), AS co-lead
• Ann de Graft-Johnson - Senior Lecturer in Architecture and Planning
• Laura de Vito - Associate Professor, Centre for Environment, Society and Resilience
• Nick Drofiak - Lecturer in Histories and Theories of Architecture
• Zaky Fouad - Lecturer in Architecture and Sustainability
• Matthew Jones - Professor, Dean and Head of School of Architecture and Environment
• Elahe Karimnia - Senior Lecturer in Critical Urban Practice
• Hanan Kataw - Lecturer in Architecture
• Catalina Morales Maya - Lecturer in Architecture
• Daniela Paddeu - Professor of Sustainable Freight Futures
• Pablo Perez - Senior Lecturer in Construction Project Management
• Rosamund Portus - Lecturer in Environment and Sustainability
• Trina Ratcliffe-Pacheco - Academic Director, School of Architecture and Environment