Athena Swan Steering Group

The Monash University Athena Swan Steering Group was established as the Athena Swan Committee in January 2016 under the leadership of Professor John Carroll, Dean of Biomedical Sciences (Chair, 2016–2022). The Committee was formed to lead the University’s participation in the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Athena Swan program and to guide Monash’s efforts to advance gender equity across the institution. The Steering Group is currently chaired by Professor Laura Jobson (2022–present).

Since its establishment, the Steering Group has provided strategic guidance and leadership for the University’s gender equity, diversity and inclusion initiatives. It has overseen the preparation and submission of Monash University’s Athena Swan Bronze Award application and led the implementation of the University’s Athena Swan Action Plan (2018–2021), as well as the development and submission of the Athena Swan Silver Award application (2022–2025) and the University's most recent Gender Equality Action Plan (2026-2030).

Through its work, the Steering Group has established a strong reputation for its evidence-based approach to advancing gender equity, diversity and inclusion. It has played a central role in driving positive change across the University through tangible initiatives that support a more inclusive and equitable academic and professional environment.

In 2025, members of the Athena Swan Steering Group published a position statement on advancing equity, diversity and inclusion. To learn more about what motivates some of our members, visit SAGE Athena Swan Champions.

Reporting

The Steering Group reports to the Equity Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which is chaired by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Senior Vice-President.

Membership

We are a diverse group of individuals representing all levels of the academic community, ranging from a postgraduate student to Associate Deans, as well as representatives from Human Resources and Strategic Communication. Steering Group members also represent an appropriate balance of STEMM disciplines, gender, career stages as well as cultural and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Chair, Athena Swan Steering Group

Prof Laura Jobson

Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health 
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

Members

Prof Belinda Gabbe Chair, STEMM Women Academic Network	A/Prof Christen Mirth Associate Dean Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Science	Prof Edwina McGlinn EMBL Australia Group Leader, Australian Regenerative Medicine Institute MNHS
Prof Nicoleta Maynard Associate Dean Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Engineering	A/Prof Pearl Subban Associate Dean Equity, and Inclusion Education	Prof Rashina Hoda Associate Dean Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Information Technology
Prof Nick McGuigan Director of  Equity, Diversity and Social Inclusion Monash Business School	Prof Jo Winning Chair, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee Arts	Prof Vaughan Macefield School of Translational Medicine MNHS
Prof Jane Bourke Chair, Biomedicine Discovery Institute Diversity and Inclusion Committee MNHS	A/Prof Betty Exintaris Associate Dean, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences Education (PPSEd)	A/Prof Julie Debeljak Associate Dean, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion  Law
A/Prof Becky Batagol Law	Dr Susilawati Civil Engineering (Transport) School of Engineering Monash Malaysia	A/Prof Michelle Antoinette Chair, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Committee Art, Design and Architecture

Dr Faezeh Marzbanrad Faculty of Engineering	Anthea Jensen Senior Advisor Staff Equity, Diversity and Inclusion	Dr Ayan Dasvarma Biomedicine Discovery Institute MNHS
Akshita Sinha Postgraduate Student Representative