On the 25th to 26th of November 2014, representatives from the STEM and broader research policy sector came together for the SAGE Forum workshop, hosted by the Australian Academy of Science. Senior leaders and key representatives from universities, medical research institutes, government research bodies, and research funders identified critical issues affecting gender equity in STEM, gauged sector interest about how to best targert gender inequity, and explored how Australia might establish and operate an initiative similar to the Athena SWAN Charter.
The Athena SWAN Charter was established in the UK in 2005 and is managed by the Equality Challenge Unit. This program requires research institutions to reflect on the factors impacting on the attrition of women and other under-represented groups in STEM, and to develop an action plan to boost these groups' participation in STEM. The action plan must be tailored to the specific circumstances of their organisation or department. Participation in the Athena SWAN Charter has been mandated by some UK research funders, resulting in its widespread adoption.
At the workshop representatives from the UK's Equality Challenge Unit outlined their experience to date, and workshop participants discussed how a similar initiative might work in Australia.
The feedback from this workshop is now being used by the SAGE Forum to help develop an initial SAGE Pilot program where the Athena SWAN Charter will be trialed by up to 20 Australian institutions.
A report containing the program and outcomes of the workshop has since been published.
To learn more about the pilot and how your organisation can participate, see the SAGE website.
The Academy acknowledges the support of the Office of the Chief Scientist in staging the SAGE Forum workshop on the 25-26 November 2014.
Event Manager: Peter Thomas
Phone: (02) 6201 9410
On the 25th to 26th of November 2014, representatives from the STEM and broader research policy sector came together for the SAGE Forum workshop, hosted by the Australian Academy of Science. Senior leaders and key representatives from universities, medical research institutes, government research bodies, and research funders identified critical issues affecting gender equity in STEM, gauged sector interest about how to best targert gender inequity, and explored how Australia might establish and operate an initiative similar to the Athena SWAN Charter.
The Athena SWAN Charter was established in the UK in 2005 and is managed by the Equality Challenge Unit. This program requires research institutions to reflect on the factors impacting on the attrition of women and other under-represented groups in STEM, and to develop an action plan to boost these groups' participation in STEM. The action plan must be tailored to the specific circumstances of their organisation or department. Participation in the Athena SWAN Charter has been mandated by some UK research funders, resulting in its widespread adoption.
At the workshop representatives from the UK's Equality Challenge Unit outlined their experience to date, and workshop participants discussed how a similar initiative might work in Australia.
The feedback from this workshop is now being used by the SAGE Forum to help develop an initial SAGE Pilot program where the Athena SWAN Charter will be trialed by up to 20 Australian institutions.
A report containing the has since been published.
To learn more about the pilot and how your organisation can participate, see the .
The Academy acknowledges the support of the Office of the Chief Scientist in staging the SAGE Forum workshop on the 25-26 November 2014.
Dialogue,4 National Circuit Australian Capital Territory false DD/MM/YYYYEvent Manager: Peter Thomas
Phone: (02) 6201 9410
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