Marcus Butler
26 May 2016: The University of Canberra has joined a pilot program aimed at addressing gender inequity in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) education and careers.
Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) is a national program run by the Australian Academy of Science in partnership with the Academy of Technology and Engineering, which focuses on promoting gender equity and gender diversity in STEMM.
The University of Canberra was awarded membership to the SAGE Athena SWAN Charter in Australia in September last year, and is one of 32 organisations, including 25 universities Australia-wide participating in the program.
Acting Vice-Chancellor Professor Frances Shannon, who has championed the University's involvement in the pilot program, said there was a real need for more women to consider a career in STEMM.
"The University is already an Employer of Choice for Gender Equality, recognising our commitment to gender equity in the workplace, an award we have received each year since 2007. While we are immensely proud of this achievement, we recognise the need to do even more to encourage and support women to pursue a career in STEMM." Professor Shannon said.
"In Australia, fewer than one in four positions in STEMM fields are held by women, that means that there is little diversity of perspectives when addressing the kinds of problems we expect our scientists, engineers, designers and doctors to take on," she said.
As part of the program, the University will collect and analyse data on its gender equity policies and practices in STEMM and identify areas with room for improvement. The University hopes to receive an Athena SWAN bronze award by the end of the pilot in 2018.
A working group of 17 faculty and professional staff members will act as the University's self-assessment team, including Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Nick Klomp, cancer researcher Professor Sudha Rao and the head of the physiotherapy discipline Professor Jennie Scarvell.
Professor Klomp said the group will be analysing data from across the University to gauge the number of women working in STEMM related fields compared to non-STEMM fields.
"An action plan will be created in the coming months, which will aim to increase gender equity at the University, with policy approaches on recruitment, promotion and retention of women-identified STEMM researchers and with a focus on improving gender diversity in senior positions," Professor Klomp said.
Other organisations participating in the pilot program include the CSIRO, the Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation and Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research.
