Athena Swan at Monash
We are accelerating progress in gender equity, diversity and inclusion to drive positive change.
Strategic Alignment
SAGE Athena Swan is the only internationally recognised framework for gender equity, diversity and inclusion. Monash University signed up to Athena Swan in 2015, alongside 42 other organisations, including universities, medical research institutions and publicly funded research agencies across Australia.
Our participation in the Athena Swan accreditation program is aligned with Monash University’s strategic plan, Impact 2030, which affirms our purpose and commits us to addressing global challenges with equity and inclusion at the core.
Our institutional commitment to advancing equity, diversity, and inclusion is outlined in the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Framework, which brings to life the ‘Inclusive’ goal of Impact 2030. This work is further supported by our Gender Equality Action Plan, which seeks to address gender imbalances and foster a more inclusive Monash community by dismantling systemic and cultural barriers to equity.
Governance Structure
Monash University Athena Swan Steering Group reports to the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee. The EDI Committee is an advisory committee reporting to the Vice-Chancellor’s Executive Committee (VCEC).
The Athena Swan Steering Group comprises academic and professional staff, Chairs of Faculty-level Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committees, as well as a postgraduate student representative and colleagues from Monash Malaysia.
Learn more about Monash University Athena Swan Steering Group.
Meet our Athena Swan Champions.
Our journey to Silver
Following the successful completion of our Athena Swan Action Plan 2018–2021, Monash University continued to embed gender equity into our systems and culture through the Gender Equality Action Plan 2022–2025, led in close partnership between the Athena Swan Steering Group and the Staff Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team.
As part of the structured SAGE pathway to Silver accreditation, we developed five in-depth submissions, each focusing on a specific area where we had made measurable, sustained progress in removing systemic barriers. These submissions were recognised with individual SAGE Cygnet Awards, which act as important stepping stones towards achieving the Athena Swan Silver Award.
In each Cygnet submission, we reflected on the barriers identified during our Bronze self-assessment, outlined the targeted actions we took to address them, and demonstrated the tangible impact of these efforts. The Cygnet Awards celebrate this progress, highlighting initiatives that are driving meaningful and lasting change across the University.
Learn more about our Cygnet Awards
In 2025, this work culminated in the submission of our SAGE Athena Swan Silver application. Developed through robust consultation with stakeholders across the University and led by the Athena Swan Steering Group and Staff Equity, Diversity and Inclusion team, the Silver self-assessment process provided an opportunity to evaluate the outcomes of our earlier actions, identify remaining challenges, and set a refreshed baseline for future progress.
Monash received the SAGE Athena Swan Silver Award at the SAGE 10-Year Anniversary Awards Dinner on 25 August 2025