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Inclusive. Open minded. Aware.
We champion equity, diversity and inclusion in a variety of ways. Through our research. Through our partnerships. And through the way we work, learn and interact. After all, we envisage a world where equality isn’t a goal to achieve – but a way of life to celebrate.
Promoting gender equality and equity
In our faculty, women represent 23% of our academics and research staff, just exceeding the national average of 22%. We also have the largest number of women IT students in Australia and among the prestigious Group of Eight – with 30% constituting our coursework cohort, and 39% making up graduate research.
To complement our education and employment, we have many initiatives that drive gender equality and equity, from offering Conquering Code workshops and generous scholarships to supporting major events like Hopper Down Under.
Meet our women in IT
Fostering cultural and linguistic inclusion
Coming from over 90 countries including Australia, our faculty is a blend of staff and students of many backgrounds, cultures, customs and beliefs.
This diversity makes us more creative and progressive – and enhances our innovative edge.
To ensure we’re a place where everyone can reach their full potential, we actively undergo Cultural Safety Indigenous Training and offer support in English skills and cross-cultural communication.
But more is needed to create radical change...
Even though we’re making transformative progress, the gender gap is still significant. The lack of women and other underrepresented groups in IT means a lack of potential, expertise and talent, hindering the progress of our sector – and the world. To deliver the same opportunities to all, we’re continually improving our curricula, enhancing our programs, pioneering research, introducing new initiatives and backing leaders who share our vision.
Enhancing accessibility
We make our spaces as accessible as possible so people with disabilities can seize equal opportunities. This includes having braille signs and automatic opening doors.
Through the Peer Mentoring Program, we help students from this community learn through the experiences of others and expand their social circles. We also make reasonable workplace adjustments to enable staff with impairments to thrive.
Supporting families
We support families and carers through generous parental leave, immersive support programs and helpful resources for new and expecting parents.
Monash’s flexibility, onsite childcare and policies also make it easier for staff to balance their commitments.
Backing the LGBTIQ+ community
We stand behind a range of university-wide initiatives that empower the LGBTIQ community. These include the Ally Network, Monash Queer Leaders scholarship and Queer 101 training.
Through these, we’re helping to raise awareness of the challenges that people of diverse sexualities face – and creating a safer, more supportive culture.
Putting our plans into action
Proof of our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, we have several measures in place to ensure our plans are always backed by action.
This includes establishing the Associate Dean (Equity, Diversity and Inclusion) role. Held by Associate Professor Yolande Strengers, this is a unique leadership position that focuses on creating and advancing our important initiatives in this area.
Athena SWAN
Monash is a proud recipient of the Bronze Athena SWAN award. With several faculty members on the Athena SWAN committee, we help the university implement its current Action Plan. This focuses on attracting, retaining and progressing women in STEMM, developing an inclusive workplace culture and improving diversity beyond gender.
Our Equity Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee
Chaired by Associate Professor Yolande Strengers, our EDI Committee involves academics, professional staff and students. It is responsible for developing our EDI agenda – and embedding it into all our activities.
Monash Diversity and Inclusion Framework
Supported by several multi-year plans, Monash’s Diversity and Inclusion Framework acknowledges the university’s vision to achieve a diverse, inclusive, innovative and sustainable world.
Monash Gender Equity Strategy
Spanning more than three decades, this multifaceted strategy aims to achieve gender equity in a range of ways. This includes improving the gender composition of staff in leadership roles, increasing the participation of women in STEMM and addressing gender pay inequalities.