Advancing gender equality requires universities to work beyond their own institutions, building partnerships that challenge barriers and create opportunities for women and girls in education, employment and wider society.
ARU works with external organisations, professional bodies and communities to translate our expertise into action, from widening women's participation in STEM to strengthening women's voices in public services and addressing inequalities in health and professional life.
This outward-facing work is reinforced by ARU's Institutional Athena Swan Silver Award, achieved in 2024, and our Athena Swan Silver Action Plan 2024–2029, which provides a framework for continuing progress on gender equity.
Advancing gender equality in energy research and innovation
ARU’s Energy SHINES project, led by the University's Global Sustainability Institute brought together researchers, policymakers and organisations to increase the visibility and participation of women within energy-related fields, ensuring that a wider range of perspectives informs solutions to the climate and energy challenges facing society. The initiative received external recognition through the Green Gown Awards, where it was highly commended in the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion in Sustainability category. By creating opportunities for female researchers and strengthening gender diversity within sustainability research, ARU is helping build a more inclusive and equitable research community.
Supporting women experiencing multiple disadvantage
We work in partnership with charities and community organisations to improve outcomes for women facing poverty, exclusion and vulnerability.
Research led by Dr Melanie Boyce, supported by Dr Anna Dadswell and funded by the National Lottery Community Fund, was undertaken in collaboration with a London-based charity supporting women involved in prostitution. The project explored how outreach services can better support women experiencing multiple disadvantages, including poverty, violence and social exclusion. The findings are contributing to improved support practices and helping service providers develop more effective interventions for women who are often among the most marginalised members of society.
Supporting girls' wellbeing through community partnerships
ARU collaborates with community organisations, schools, artists and local partners to improve opportunities for children and young people, particularly those living in areas of deprivation. Through projects such as Eco-Capabilities, researchers are exploring how engagement with nature, creativity and outdoor spaces can support wellbeing and resilience. The project recognises that girls and young women can face disproportionate social and economic barriers and aims to strengthen confidence, participation and opportunities through community-based approaches. By working directly with local communities, ARU is helping create environments in which children and young people can thrive.
Informing policy on gender equality and social justice
Our researchers engage with policymakers, public bodies and international organisations to address inequalities that disproportionately affect women and girls. Research from the University's Centre for Pluralist Economics has informed discussions on workplace discrimination and inequality within organisations including the European Union, OECD and World Bank. Alongside this, ARU's Safe and Inclusive Communities research theme supports partnerships focused on social inclusion, participation and equal opportunities. By working beyond academia to influence policy and practice, ARU helps ensure that research contributes to meaningful progress towards gender equality.
Last updated: October 2026
To request additions, corrections or changes to the information in these pages, please contact: Dr Zareen Bharucha: [email protected]. Please use the subject line ‘ARU SDG’.