Dr Jane Illés appointed Chair of University Athena Swan Implementation Group
The School of Medicine congratulates Senior Lecturer Dr Jane Illés on recent her appointment as Chair of the University’s Athena Swan Implementation Group (ASIG). Dr Illés will bring her years of experience of Athena Swan and related Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) work at local and national level to the role.
In 2024, the University of St Andrews was awarded the prestigious Athena Swan Institutional Silver Award. Part of the application was an ambitious action plan organised around five key priorities: Increasing representation of women in the professoriate and senior roles; supporting professional services staff career pathways; addressing intersectional inequalities; ensuring sustainable workloads; and closing the gender pay gap.
The purpose of the Athena Swan Implementation Group (ASIG) is to oversee delivery of the Institutional Athena Swan Action Plan to further advance gender equality at the University. As Chair, Dr Illés will work in partnership with the Vice-Principal (People and Diversity); Head of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion; Race Equality Charter Institutional Chair, and other senior stakeholders to help advance equality and inclusion at the University.
Reflecting on her appointment, Dr Illés said: “I feel very honoured to serve as Chair of the University’s newly formed Athena Swan Implementation Group. In championing our University’s commitment to gender and intersectional equality—outlined in our successful 2024 Athena Swan Institutional Silver Award application and action plan—I feel privileged to help break down barriers and nurture a University community where everyone can truly thrive. I am hugely grateful to all of the staff and students who are committed to driving forward advances in equality, diversity, and inclusion and I am hugely motivated to play my part in ensuring that meaningful change happens so that every member of our community, far and wide, benefits now and in the future.”