Gender Equality Conference 2025

The University of Exeter’s gender equality action plan 2024-28 pledges to 'launch [an] annual Gender Equality Conference event to highlight progress, celebrate success and share best practice from across the institution and beyond, creating a forum for feedback, networking and insights.’

This page has more information, including events, resources and support, and is updated regularly.

How to get involved

Our first conference in May 2025 is mainly internally focused. We will look to invite people from other Higher Education institutions to network and share knowledge, learning and best practice in future years.

There are lots of ways University of Exeter staff and students can get involved:

Attend conference events (see listings below)
Showcase your gender equality focused research, projects, and/or networks online or at our events
Host/organise an event focusing on gender equality (please use our event tracker to let us know and we will list it here)
Suggest further events, resources, support or networks to promote on this page
Support the conference project team with admin, planning and other activities before and during the conference

If you have anything you would like to promote, or you want to organise or be part of supporting an event, please email EDI@exeter.ac.uk.

Events, resources and support

The following events are open to University of Exeter students and staff. All events will be open for sign up on Eventbrite soon.

Please email EDI@exeter.ac.uk for more information at any time.

Monday 19 May

Athena Swan: Drop-in for application support (online)

10-11am, MS Teams

Do you have questions about your department's Athena Swan application? Join the EDI team and colleagues working on Bronze, Silver and Gold Athena Swan applications to share information and ideas.

Pay gaps: Talk/Q&A on disability, ethnicity and gender pay gaps (online)

2-3pm, MS Teams

Find out more about the University of Exeter's current disability, ethnicity and gender pay gaps and the work happening to reduce them.

Cornwall Carers Service: Talk/Q&A

3:30-4:30pm, MS Teams

In the first half of this meeting, Cornwall Carers Service will cover how to know if you’re a carer, what support and resources they offer, and more. The second half of the meeting is your opportunity to ask Cornwall Carers Service and University of Exeter HR policy and EDI colleagues any questions.

There is an equivalent event with Devon Carers on Tuesday 25 March, 1:30-2:30pm. Please email EDI@exeter.ac.uk for an Outlook invite/MS Teams link for either event.

Tuesday 20 May

Athena Swan: Workshop on Bronze, Silver and Gold applications (in-person)

10am-12pm, Penryn Campus

Join the EDI team and colleagues with experience of successful Athena Swan applications to find out more about what's required for Bronze, Silver and Gold awards.

Athena Swan: Workshop on Bronze applications (in-person)

10-11:30am, Streatham Campus

Join the EDI team and colleagues with experience of successful Athena Swan applications to find out more about what's involved and how to get started on applying for a Bronze award.

Meet and Greet: Fika and gender equality showcase (Penryn Campus)

12-2pm, Penryn Campus

Come along at any time for a tea/coffee/cake break, to meet staff and students, and to learn more about gender equality projects, research and networks across the University of Exeter.

Meet and Greet: Fika and gender equality showcase (St Luke's Campus)

11:30am-12:30pm, St Luke's Campus

Come along at any time for a tea/coffee/cake break, to meet staff and students, and to learn more about gender equality projects, research and networks across the University of Exeter.

Athena Swan: Workshop on Gold applications (in-person)

1-2:30pm, St Luke's Campus

Join the EDI team, and other colleagues preparing Gold applications, to find out more about what's required to achieve an Athena Swan Gold award.

Wednesday 21 May

Keynote: Gender Equality at the University of Exeter (hybrid)

10:30am-12pm, Streatham Campus

Join Alicia O'Grady (Chair of the University of Exeter's Gender Equality Group) and guests, to find out more about progress on gender equality and sexual orientation equality work at the University of Exeter.

Meet and Greet: Fika and gender equality showcase (Streatham Campus)

12-2pm, Streatham Campus

Come along at any time for a tea/coffee/cake break, to meet staff and students, and to learn more about gender equality projects, research and networks across the University of Exeter.

Self-defence taster class (option 1)

2-3pm, Streatham Campus

Join this free, in-person taster class to learn simple self-defence skills in a safe and friendly atmosphere. A fully qualified, professional instructor will show you easy to learn and effective solutions to real life situations. Beginners of all genders are welcome.

This class is the same as the one listed on Thursday 22 May - please only sign up to one slot.

Thursday 22 May

Athena Swan: Talk/Q&A on data (online)

10-11am, MS Teams

Join the EDI team, and colleagues with experience of successful Athena Swan applications, for an overview of what data is available at the University of Exeter, where to find it, and how best to use it in your department's application.

Athena Swan: Workshop on Silver applications (in-person)

1-2:30pm, Streatham Campus

Join the EDI team and colleagues with experience of successful Athena Swan applications to find out more about what's required to achieve a Silver award.