Gender equity at UNSW

28 November 2005

A pioneering program developed to address gender equity issues at UNSW came under the spotlight last week at a special colloquium open to all staff.

The University's Equity and Diversity Unit hosted the Gender Equity Colloquium to increase awareness of the strategies in place across the University aimed at promoting institutional change.

The colloquium highlighted the outcomes from the UNSW Equity Initiative Grants Program, which commenced in 2003. Grant co-ordinators reported on a range of projects implemented in their schools and faculties, many of which have wider implications for the university. The projects included attracting girls into maths; encouraging postgraduate women into academia; building networks and mentoring systems for women; and informative gender analysis of workplace practices.

A special panel of gender equity experts provided feedback on the projects. The panel comprised Susan Ryan, UNSW Council member and President of the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees, Professor Belinda Probert, Pro-Vice Chancellor (Academic), University of Western Australia and Professor Graeme Russell, Director of Work + Life Strategies at Macquarie University. Closing comments were provided by Professor Robert King, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).

The panel was unanimous in praise of the projects. Professor Russell said the projects were 'inspiring and innovative' and 'represented leading edge practice in gender equity in the sector'. Professor Probert congratulated UNSW on the Program and said: "It is fantastic to see the work on gender equity underpinned by solid research and taken forward through imaginative strategies."