ESSEX University’s commitment to gender equality has been shortlisted for an award.

The Guardian newspaper has recognised the university in the advancing staff equality category of its annual higher education awards.

Last year the university made headlines when it made a one-off pay rise to women professors reducing the gender pay gap from 5.49 per cent to 0.07 per cent.

The decision was highlighted by the Universities and Colleges Employers Association as best practice and praised by the Equality Challenge Unit which said Essex was taking a lead on this issue.

It was part of a number of initiatives aimed at making Essex a fairer place to work, which included appointing gender equality champions in its senior team, targeted awareness campaigns, mentoring, career workshops and training to combat unconscious bias.

Professor Aletta Norval, Essex’s Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education), said: “We are incredibly proud about being recognised by the Guardian for this important work which has demonstrated to our community that we are serious about living according to our values and principles.”

“The response to our positive and decisive action has been hugely satisfying and we are pleased to be a reference point in this debate and an inspiration to others.”

The winners will be announced at a ceremony at the end of the month.