Deakin receives SAGE Athena Swan Bronze award

The Athena SWAN program is run by Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE), and the Bronze award recognises Deakin's extensive work in promoting gender equity, inclusivity and diversity.

Deakin Vice-Chancellor Professor Iain Martin said the Athena SWAN bronze award added to an impressive suite of awards including recognition as an Employer of Choice for Women for 12 consecutive years, firstly through an Employer of Choice for Women citation, and more recently the Workplace Gender Equality Agency's (WGEA) Award.

"Deakin values diversity, embraces difference and nurtures a connected, safe and respectful community," Professor Martin said.

"Deakin aspires to become Australia's premier University in achieving equal representation, recognition, reward and value of staff, irrespective of gender.

"The Athena SWAN action plan is helping to guide the way we improve gender equity outcomes at Deakin over the next four years, and the SAGE principles underpin our Gender Equity Action Plan 2019-2023.

"The Gender Equity Action Plan offers an understanding of the barriers to diversity and inclusion and introduces meaningful actions to address gender inequities, including impacts on staff development, career progression and job satisfaction."

Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) was established to bring the scientific research sector together to monitor and improve gender equity within Australian scientific and research organisations.

Professor Martin said SAGE had already helped Deakin to better understand and address the barriers to career progression for women in STEMM including recruitment and promotion practices, the impact of career breaks and the lack of flexibility in leadership roles.

"Through the SAGE program, Deakin has introduced initiatives such as the Vice Chancellor's Conference Care Support Fund, which helps to retain early and mid-career researchers by assisting them with caring expenses so they can attend professional events," Professor Martin said.

"By the end of 2019 all STEMM schools at Deakin will have gender targets set for representation in senior academic positions. The newly established Diversity and Inclusion taskforces will develop strategies to support the Gender Equity Action Plan 2019-2023."

Established in 2015, SAGE is a partnership between the Australian Academy of Science and the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. SAGE's Pilot program is an essential part of the Australian Government's Women in STEM Strategy and Women in STEM Decadal Plan.