SAGE Athena SWAN – progress update

In November 2017, Murdoch University joined the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) pilot of the Athena SWAN accreditation program which aims to improve gender equity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) in the Australian higher education and research sector.

Following the Diversity & Inclusion survey in March, the SAGE Athena SWAN Self-Assessment Team delivered a series of staff consultation focus group sessions to dig deeper into the key themes identified in the survey.

Over four weeks, 21 sessions enabled solutions-focussed feedback from over 130 participants, representing many diverse backgrounds including CaLD, LGBTIQ+, Aboriginal people and people with a disability as well as part-time, sessional, HDR, ECR and short/long tenured staff. Thank you to everyone who participated in these sessions. Your input helps us identify and understand cultural and structural factors affecting gender equity and diversity at Murdoch University, and will inform an action plan to progress a longer term vision of equity, diversity and inclusion.

Staff feedback will support extensive quantitative data required for the SAGE Athena SWAN application. A graphical representation reflecting Murdoch’s student and staff figures for 2017 is available here, clearly demonstrating the need to investigate and address academic career trajectory shifts around the time female staff take career breaks to have children.   

QUICK WINS

Already, a considerable amount of effort and resourcing has been dedicated to several ‘quick wins’ to support gender equity and diversity goals.

Firstly, the successful candidate for the Entry to the C-Suite® program has been selected.  Congratulations to Dr Renita Almeida (School of Psychology) who commenced the 12 month leadership course in September. We also wish to congratulate Dr Melissa Claus (School of VLS) who was awarded the $5000 UniSuper Professional Development Award. Thanks to UniSuper’s generous funding support, Dr Claus aims to introduce an internationally recognised Haemodialysis Program at Murdoch’s Animal Hospital. 

Secondly, in response to more training and awareness around bullying and discrimination, Murdoch will host a Bystander Intervention workshop for University leaders and key stakeholders in November.  This will reinforce SARC (Sexual Assault Response Centre) training delivered to staff and students through the Respect.Now.Always. campaign.

Finally, staff have called for more mentoring opportunities for women as well as more recognition of our female leaders. In November, a Living Library-style forum titled “My Journey” will showcase some of Murdoch’s senior female academics and researchers. This is a women’s only mentoring and networking opportunity for female-identifying academic staff and HDR students to come and listen to the stories of several women who have successfully navigated their way through academia despite career disruptions, particularly due to parental leave. To register, click here.

Kind Regards,

Professor Romy Lawson

Provost