Diversity and Inclusion committee
The Monash BDI Diversity and Inclusion committee is a research and advisory committee which provides guidance and recommendations to the People and Culture committee, which directly advises the Monash BDI Executive.
The committee’s terms of reference are aligned with the Monash University Diversity and Inclusion framework, encompassing matters relating to:
- Gender equality and equity
- Indigenous staff and students
- Staff and students from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- Staff and students from low socio-economic backgrounds
- Staff and students of diverse genders, sexes and sexualities
- Staff and students with disabilities or ongoing health conditions
Mission
- We strive to provide a balanced, inclusive and rewarding work culture, in order to attract, develop and retain the world’s best researchers.
- We recognise that an equitable workforce brings strength and diversity of thought for the broader benefit of the workplace
History
In 2015, a group of senior researchers chaired by Professor Kim Cornish and Professor John Carroll formed the first Faculty of Biomedical and Psychological Sciences Gender Equity Committee. Professor Moira O’Bryan took over as chair of the renamed Monash BDI Gender Equity committee in 2016. These groups focused on understanding and addressing a lack of diversity in senior academic and leadership positions.
In 2017, under the leadership of Professor Dena Lyras, the committee was renamed the Monash BDI Equity Committee, to broaden the remit and promote a more equitable, inclusive culture for all our staff and students. After an audit across all aspects of the Monash BDI, specific processes were instigated to address inequity issues and changes continue to be implemented.
The current committee membership was established in 2020. The committee aims to promote diversity and inclusion across five intersecting themes:
- Gender equity
- Culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
- Diverse genders, sexes and sexualities
- Disabilities and ongoing health conditions
- Inclusion regardless of socio-economic background
A Mental Health and Wellbeing committee, led by Associate Professor Priscilla Johanesen, is currently in development.
Meet the committee
| Dr Anne Fletcher (she/her) Chair, Monash BDI Diversity & Inclusion committee “An equitable workplace is healthier, fairer and more productive. My aim is to continually appraise our performance, identify opportunities for growth, and recommend achievable initiatives. I also sit on the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences Diversity and Inclusion committee." |
 | Professor Dena Lyras Deputy Director, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute “Scientific research is about creative thinking and ideas – diversity in people brings diversity in thinking and generates better collective outcomes, and everyone should have an equal opportunity to participate in something that is so important to our community.” |
 | Ms Andreea Arsenie (she/her)
Senior HR Business Partner “I am passionate about building a stronger culture of equity, diversity and inclusion throughout our Monash community.” |
 | Associate Professor Jane Bourke Head, Respiratory Pharmacology Laboratory, “I'm passionate about diversity with inclusion to create opportunities for an equal voice and to foster a supportive environment where different perspectives are valued.” |
 | Ms Bianca Chan Manager, Research and Engagement “I believe diversity is critical for paradigm shifting science- diversity of thought, training, and background enrich our research teams at the Monash BDI and makes us what we are today. Now, more than ever, we need to support and celebrate our diversity. I am excited to work with the new Diversity and Inclusion Committee to deliver new initiatives that do this.” |
 | Ms Julie Dao PhD candidate, Department of Physiology, Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute “I am passionate about D&I as I believe we need to acknowledge and share the diverse experiences of all our staff and students regardless of discipline, sexuality or discipline.” |
 | Dr Ayan Dasvarma (he/him) School and Institute Manager “I am passionate about diversity and inclusion because it is through recognition, celebration and respect of a wide variety of viewpoints, backgrounds and experiences that everyone can feel engaged and collaborate meaningfully, driving innovation and success individually and as a whole.” |
 | Dr Luke Formosa (he/him)
Research Fellow , Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology “When people are confident to be their authentic selves, that's when they are capable of their best- that is why Diversity and Inclusion are important to me.” |
 | Dr Jason S. Massey (he/him) Lecturer, Department of Anatomy and Developmental Biology “My passion for diversity and inclusion stems from being an anatomy educator to first and second year medical students and its importance in teaching them to recognise that variation is not a deviation from "normal" but the definition of Normal.” |
 | Dr Terry Kwok-Schuelein. Senior Lecturer, Department of Microbiology “In diversity there is beauty and there is strength” - Maya Angelou “Being a mother, a lecturer and a lab head of a team made up of members of different genders and social, cultural and ethnic backgrounds, I witness on a daily basis how diversity and inclusion empower talents, enrich our lives, and drive creativity; we need to do everything to respect and promote these essential values.” |
 | Associate Professor Martin J. Stone (he/him).
Associate Professor (Research and Teaching) “My commitment to supporting equal opportunity stems from my experiences as a committed educator, supervisor, mentor, colleague, parent, and partner of a successful woman, as well as my fundamental belief that social equity benefits both individuals and society as a whole.” |