Awards and Commitments

The University has engaged with the Athena SWAN (AS) Charter for gender equality since its inception in 2005. Advance HE’s AS Charter is a framework that is used across the globe to support and transform gender equality within higher education and research. We’ve held an Institutional Silver award since 2015, and were the first Scottish institution to achieve this level of award. 

We remain committed to progressing equality, diversity and inclusion in all its forms. Our action plan takes into account the specific needs and responsibilities of women, non-binary and gender-diverse people, and the intersection of gender and other protected characteristics. 

The Bronze award follows the University becoming a signatory to the Armed Forces Covenant in August 2025. The Covenant is a national pledge which asks employers to provide support for the British Armed Forces community through fair employment opportunities and practices.  It aims to redress the disadvantages that the armed forces community often face and ensure that in some circumstances, special consideration can be provided to those who have been injured or bereaved. 

By signing the Covenant, the University has pledged to strengthen opportunities for serving personnel, reservists, veterans and their families.  Commitments include supporting the employment of veterans, offering flexible working and leave arrangements for the partners of those deployed, and providing additional leave for staff serving in the Reserve Forces.

The University is recognised as a Carer Positive employer and has a range of policies to support Carers at work. 

The University has received international recognition for its excellence in human resource management of researchers.

It has been awarded HR Excellence in Research accreditation from the European Commission.

Edinburgh is among one of the first UK universities to receive this official recognition.

HR Excellence in Research

The University is a committed to paying at least the living wage to its employees and contractors. 

The University has been a longstanding member of Stonewall's Diversity Champions scheme and continuously works to progress LGBTQ+ inclusion for our staff

The University of Edinburgh signed the Technician Commitment in September 2017 recognising the important role technicians play in research, teaching and supporting students.  The University employs 1000 technicians working across all subject areas.

Find out more: Technician Commitment

The University of Edinburgh is a proud supporter of the Developing the Young Workforce pledge (previously the Young Persons Guarantee).  The University has made an ongoing commitment to creating opportunities for young people, acknowledging the impact this has on meeting the University’s strategic aims and objectives, including Strategy 2030, the Community Plan and People Strategy.