Western receives gender equality award

Western Sydney University has been awarded the prestigious Athena SWAN Institutional Bronze Award – part of the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative – in recognition of its sector-leading programs and work to promote gender equality for staff in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM).

The Athena SWAN Bronze Award is another significant reinforcement of the University’s work on gender equality. Earlier this year, the University was ranked first globally for addressing gender equality in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings, and, for the 14thconsecutive year, was named an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality by Australia’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency.

“The Bronze Award recognises the University’s strong commitment to gender equality through its support of women, trans, and gender diverse peoples in STEMM across the entire academic work lifecycle – from high school student to Emeritus Professor,” said Professor Denise Kirkpatrick, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic).

“Our four-year Athena SWAN Action Plan acknowledges the changing needs of Western Sydney University staff throughout their work lives and envisages a continuum of engagement and support from first experience with higher education through to academic appointment, progression, and post-retirement.”

Professor Barney Glover AO, Vice-Chancellor and President, said the University has prioritised key initiatives in STEMM as part of its whole-of-University commitment to addressing gender equality.

“Western Sydney University is committed to meaningful and lasting change in gender equality, especially in STEMM, where women have traditionally been underrepresented.

“Implementing a range of targeted initiatives has led to a doubling of applications from women for academic promotion within the STEMM disciplines and to more than half of the University’s internal research grants being awarded to women in STEMM,” said Professor Glover.

Western Sydney University workplace gender equality initiatives include:

  • a Senior Women’s LeadershipGroup and a Network for Emerging Women, which develop leadership capabilities and support engagement between women in the University;
  • an array of flexible work options, parental leave offerings and phased return to work programs that are well above industry standards;
  • childcare facilities at most campuses and Breastfeeding Friendly Workplace Accreditation;
  • paid Domestic and Family Violence Leave; and
  • the Gender UNLIMITED* Seminar Series, which engages industry experts, NGOs, community leaders, and researchers across our higher education networks on matters relating to gender equality.
  • ENDS

    24 September 2019

    Media Team