The Athena Swan Charter is a framework which is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education (HE) and research. Universities can apply for institutional and departmental Athena Swan awards recognising their gender equality efforts.
The School of Education is aiming to submit its application for an Athena Swan bronze award in Autumn 2027. The work towards the application is planned to take place between February 2026 and October 2027 (possibly extended until Spring 2028). A diverse Self-Assessment Team (SAT) is crucial to the application process and accreditation.
We are looking for a PGT/PGR student to join the School of Education Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team in order to have this particular perspective and lived experience represented in our team and subsequent application. This role will include contribution to discussions on inequalities in higher education, as well as planning and decision-making in relation to the School of Education’s Athena Swan application. You will be a valued member of our team.
This is designed as a single post, but given that PGT and some PGR students may not be with the UOS for the entire period of the application preparation, we will consider applications for those who can contribute from February to September 2026 only, and hours will be reduced to 10. If the latter is preferred we will advertise again in in September 2026 for an additional 10 hour post.
Duties:
- Attendance at 3-5 hybrid (in person and/or online) Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team (SAT) meetings in the School of Education. These meetings last 1-2 hours.
- Contribution to discussion, planning and decision-making in relation to the School of Education’s Athena Swan application.
- Contribution to the running and analysis of a student focus group.
If the post holder can work only between Feb 2026 and September 2026, the duties will be halved.
Person Specification:
- The post holder must be a PGT/PGR student within the School of Education at the University of Sheffield.
- An interest in and/or knowledge of gender inequality is essential.
- An interest in and/or knowledge of the Equalities Act (2010) is preferred.
- No previous experience of the Athena Swan application process is needed.We particularly welcome applications from people with protected characteristics under the Equalities Act (2010). These are age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, and sexual orientation.
The post holder must be available for 20 hours of work (spread out as needed) between February 2026 and October 2027 OR available for 10 hours of work between February 2026 and September 2026. If the latter is preferred we will advertise again in in September 2026 for an additional 10 hour post.
Pay Rate: £21.25 per hour + holiday pay entitlement
To Apply: Please complete the following Google Form.