Athena Swan, improving gender diversity, our commitment - About

In 2018, Curtin University received the Athena Swan Bronze Award from SAGE for our efforts to improve gender equity and diversity.

Our commitment

Curtin University is committed to maximising the potential of all of its staff, regardless of gender, and recognises the importance and value of having a diverse academic workforce in all discipline areas.

There is a well-documented lack of gender equity in academia across many STEMM disciplines. In addition, women are under-represented at senior and leadership levels across all discipline areas. This is an Australia-wide issue, which also exists at Curtin.

Female researchers are often squeezed out of STEMM careers by structural barriers. The loss of their expertise is a significant waste of knowledge, talent and investment. Gender equity and gender diversity positively impact Australia’s scientific performance and productivity. It is also recognised that there is a need to increase the number of men in other areas of STEMM (i.e. such as some health professions).

Achieving increased gender equity in STEMM is of national and international importance.

What it means

Widespread consultation occurred during the development of Curtin’s Athena Swan Bronze Institution Award application and Action Plan. This identified the importance of influencing recruitment retention, career development, flexibility in the work environment, leadership and cultural change.

Curtin’s Athena Swan Action Plan is part of our ongoing commitment to eliminating gender bias and further developing an inclusive culture that values all staff.

This commitment is consistent with our values and is reflected in our Strategic Plan 2017-2022.

Implementing the change

As a Bronze accredited institution, Curtin has developed the 2018-2021 Curtin Athena Swan Action Plan. Curtin’s Athena Swan Action Plan aims to retain and support excellent female academics in the STEMM disciplines at Curtin, increase the diversity of the University’s academic workforce, advance the careers of female academics in the STEMM disciplines, and to increase the number of female academics in leadership positions.

To see a copy of Curtin’s Athena Swan Action Plan 2018-2021, please click on ‘Resources’.

All areas of the University will be involved in implementing the Athena Swan Action Plan and ensuring the milestones and targets are achieved. The plan includes accountabilities for all levels of management across the University.

An Athena Swan Steering Group, chaired by the Associate Provost Professor Julianne Reid, has been established to monitor and provide advice on the implementation of our Athena Swan Action Plan. This key contact facilitates the implementation of the Athena Swan Action Plan, leads some of its initiatives, and acts as a resource to support Schools, Faculties and other areas that are developing and implementing actions that relate to the Athena Swan Action Plan.

Key contacts

Steering group

Professor Julianne Reid – Associate Provost (Chair) ex officio

Professor Mark Ogden – Pro Vice-Chancellor (SAE) and Key Priority Area Lead ex officio

Professor Vanessa Chang – Pro Vice-Chancellor (FBL) and Key Priority Area Lead ex officio

Professor Helen Hodgson – Faculty Gender and Diversity Working Group Chair (FBL) ex officio

Professor James Miller-Jones – Faculty Gender and Diversity Working Group Chair (SAE) ex officio

Professor Michele Willson – Faculty Gender and Diversity Working Group Chair (HUM) and Key Priority Area Lead ex officio

Professor Linley Lord – Key Priority Area Lead ex officio

Associate Professor Karina Jorritsma – Key Priority Area Lead ex officio

Mr Ian Jackson – Director, People and Culture ex officio

Women in STEMM

Curtin University’s academics and researchers tell their personal stories about what attracted them to a career in the STEMM fields.

Read more

Rule Breakers: Women in STEMM Rebelling Against the Status Quo

We’re celebrating six women in STEMM at Curtin pursuing excellence in their field and rebelling against the status quo.

Watch their videos

The Panel Pledge

The Panel Pledge initiative is designed to increase gender equity and diversity on panels at conferences, corporate events and other forums to increase the visibility of women and broaden and deepen the conversations generated.

Take the pledge

Academic Carer Support Scheme

The purpose of the Academic Carer Support Scheme is to provide financial assistance to enable academics, particularly early- and mid-career, who have carer responsibilities* or who require a carer themselves, to participate in activities that significantly contribute to their career development.
*Carer responsibilities include care for dependent child/children or for a dependent relative with special needs

Read more

Resources

Curtin’s Athena Swan Action Plan and progress

Good practice guidelines for responding to gender equity challenges

Gender pay gap

Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE)

Other useful resources

Achievements in STEMM

Stay in the loop with our achievements in science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine.

Curtin STEM Outreach collaborated with Women in Technology WA (WITWA) for outstanding Curtin women in STEMM to be filmed as part of their program Techtrails Online. To read more about their stories, visit the Girls in STEM website.

Curtin astrophysicist named among nation’s leaders in her field

20 JUN 2022

Athena Swan