QUT has recognised staff who have made a positive impact on gender equity, diversity and inclusion within the university at the inaugural QUT STEMM Diversity and Inclusion Awards.
Nineteen awards – 17 to individuals and two to teams – were presented by QUT Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Margaret Sheil AO last night. (Thursday July 4)
QUT is part of the national Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) initiative promoting gender equity in the STEMM (science, technology, education, maths and medicine) disciplines. Using the UK Athena SWAN (Scientific Women’s Academic Network) accreditation framework, SAGE is guiding universities to improve their gender equity policies, practices and organisational culture.
As a recipient of the inaugural Athena SWAN Bronze Award, QUT has adopted the principles of the Athena SWAN charter and has an action plan to drive the advancement of gender equity and diversity in STEMM.
Professor Sheil said the awards to staff were one of many initiatives outlined in the four-year QUT SAGE Athena SWAN Action Plan.
“QUT is committed to implementing the action plan, and identifying gaps and opportunities to ensure there are no barriers and biases for women’s full participation in STEMM,” she said.
“These STEMM Diversity and Inclusion Awards are an important recognition of efforts, both large and small, by staff at all levels to achieve the outcomes we have set for the university in the action plan.
“Even the smallest action to improve one aspect of organisational culture, policy or practice can have a significant cumulative effect over time.”
Actions recognised through the awards included support for flexible working arrangements for men and women, such as use of distance technologies for meetings; establishing research and travel bursaries for researchers returning from career breaks; achieving balance in conference programs; work on fair and equitable promotion processes; and advocacy and raising awareness of the Athena SWAN principles.
The award recipients are:
Faculty of Health
Dr Rachel Murray, individual award, and also a team award with Dr Nathalie Bock, Ms Frances Breen, Associate Professor Tony Kenna, Dr Mark Plenderleith, Professor Kirsten Spann, Dr Sally-Anne Stephenson, and Dr Daniel Wallace
Professor Selena Bartlett
Dr Areana Eivers
Professor Louise Hafner
Professor David Waugh
Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation
Professor Lyn Griffiths
Science and Engineering Faculty
Professor Margot Brereton
Dr Jessica Cameron
Associate Professor Kathryn Fairfull-Smith
Professor Troy Farrell
Associate Professor Jennifer Firn
Dr Jennifer MacLeod
Associate Professor John McMurtrie
Professor Anthony O’Mullane
Professor Arthur ter Hofstede
Professor Gordon Wyeth
Team: Professor Stephen Kajewski and Associate Professor Karen Vella
Creative Industries Faculty
Dr Lindy Osborne Burton
QUT Media contacts: Karen Milliner, 07 3138 1841 or k.milliner@qut.edu.au
After hours: Rose Trapnell, 0407 585 901 or media@qut.edu.au
