The University of Newcastle (UoN) is now one of the first two national institutions to be awarded with an equity honour.
It comes after the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) organisation presented the UoN with the prestigious Athena Swan Silver Award.
The accolade is the only internationally-recognised framework for gender equity, diversity and inclusion, which assesses a party’s progress and impact towards improving fairness.
SAGE CEO Dr Janin Bredehoeft says UoN has shown what a massive impact equity, inclusion and diversity can have at a leadership level.
“They have established dedicated senior positions and ensured that the transformative change is well-resourced, with specific funding for research programs and quantitative data analysis,” she explained.
“This has secured their foundations, allowing them to make significant improvements in specific areas and will support their future progression as they tackle widespread transformative change.”
The university previously received the Athena Swan Bronze Award in December 2018 but has since further enacted system to ensure its high standards are maintained.
“It has been extremely pleasing to see the commitments we made in 2018 being realised and now recognised with Silver accreditation,” he stated.
“We know there is still much to be done.
“However, we are proud to be implementing changes that are creating an inclusive culture where equity is embedded across the university.”
UoN is sharing the achievement alongside Edith Cowan University in Western Australia.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Excellence) and Athena Swan Lead Professor Jennifer Milam says the university is proud to partner with SAGE in the continuing advocation for making gender equity a priority.
“This accreditation is recognition that we are at the forefront of gender equity in the workforce,” she added.
“We know that central to attracting and retaining female staff is providing an inclusive culture and flexible workplace where women’s careers are genuinely supported and accountability for gender equity is embedded in leadership across the University.”
As part of its Athena Swan Silver Action Plan, the UoN has expanded its Women in Research fellowship program to include all academics who experience barriers or systemic disadvantages to research progression.
