Monash contributions to diversity and inclusion recognised
Monash University has reaffirmed its commitment to fairness and protection to all regardless of gender, race, religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation, with the Vice-Chancellor’s Diversity and Inclusion Awards, presented on Wednesday 30 August 2017.
The annual awards recognise the efforts of staff and students who contribute significantly to an inclusive environment and culture at the University.
Monash Professor David Copolov hosted the event which was attended by 120 staff and students, and Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission, Ms Helen Kapalos.
Monash President and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Margaret Gardner AO, congratulated the nominees and presented awards to:
Group awards
Engaging Female Students with Engineering and STEM Working Group
The program aims to change students’ perceptions of Engineering and other related STEM fields in order to specifically address the underrepresentation of female university students in these subjects. A range of workshops have been developed and delivered to over 600 prospective high school students, and around 350 first year engineering students, with overwhelmingly positive feedback. The group set a target that 75 per cent of all demonstrators would be female, recognising the importance of female engineering students being shown in positions of expertise and leadership and having the ability to act as role models for prospective students.
Ashlee Pearson, Christopher Meikle, Imogen Rea, Christopher Cameron, Kellen Huang, Stephanie Duggan, Dr Scott Wordley.
NICHE Program
The Nurturing International and Culturally diverse Health Education students (NICHE) program is the first of its kind in physiotherapy to address the complex needs of the international student, through improving access and participation of students from a culturally and linguistically diverse background in a safe, nurturing and inclusive environment. The primary aim of this program was to determine the effectiveness of a targeted teaching and learning program to support the diverse learning needs of undergraduate international physiotherapy students.
Dr Rebecca Lane, Jo-Anne Corbett, Prue Munro, Dr Adela Abu-Arab.
Sub-Faculty of Biomedical and Psychological Sciences Gender Equity Committee
Monash University has a central role in the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) pilot of the Athena SWAN program. The Sub-Faculty of Biomedical and Psychological Sciences established a Gender Equity Committee to implement the principles of gender equity and to address the issue of underrepresentation of female scientists at senior levels. A key initiative established by the Committee is the Outstanding Women in Science Fellowship.
Professor Moira O'Bryan, Professor Kim Cornish, Professor Susie Nilsson, Professor Dena Lyras, Associate Professor Ana Traven, Dr Jane Bourke, Professor Mark Bellgrove, Dr Kim Good-Jacobson, Dr Edwina McGlinn, Dr Laura Jobson, Associate Professor Jose Polo, Professor Matthew Watt, Professor Christian Doerig, Dr Minna-Lissa Anko, Professor David Jans, Professor Steve Turner, Professor John Carroll, Associate Professor Matthew Mundy.
Wominjeka Working Party
Wominjeka Monash was a new initiative developed by the Campus Community Division in partnership with Yulendj Indigenous Engagement Unit and the student associations at Clayton and Caulfield. The initiative aimed to address the way that new students are welcomed to Monash while acknowledging and celebrating the traditional heritage of the land on which Monash is located and the Australian Indigenous people and cultures from the local area.
Nicholas Stewart, Inala Cooper, Fiona Vesty, Sophie Rodd, Judith Little, Wendy Blastock, Marta Skrbis, Jennifer Williams, Bryda Nichols, Jayden Crozier, Aaron Lee.
Individual awards
Tyson Kraft
In June this year, Tyson taught students at the Bangkok School for the Blind who struggle with disability and disadvantage. His background as a musician has been of surprising value to his teaching work. He has also been teaching English to refugees and recently settled migrants at AMES Australia. Growing up in regional Australia with both Asian and Australian cultural heritage, Tyson has used his own experiences to help students navigate the intercultural landscape of university life in Australia.
Dr Kirsten McLean
Education Coordinator, Kirsten takes an intersectional approach to examining LGBTIQ lives to ensure that cultural and other diversities are also represented within this space. For example, she includes the voices of Indigenous and Muslim LGBTIQ people, and LGBTIQ people with disability, in course work and readings. Kirsten is a role model for young LGBTIQ people, many of whom are struggling with personal and academic issues, and sees inclusion as a vital part of the whole student experience.
Commendations
Danielle Amiet
Danielle is an Assistant Course Convenor for the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) and led an initiative in the School of Psychological Sciences to develop more inclusive education in the Psychology curriculum around Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Danielle has also committed to fostering a more inclusive environment and culture for students and staff with the School of Psychological Sciences which values respect and appreciation for the needs of our First Nation peoples.
diversIT
diversIT is the only program in Australia that focuses on Diversity in IT with the broader definition of ‘diversity’. The group has two overarching objectives: To fill the gap of addressing diversity and inclusion within the faculty and to recognise the existence of intersectionality.
They have worked to provide access to learning resources, established connections with both industry and faculty, and hosted an afternoon tea event with Googlers from the Sydney branch and a design thinking workshop with IBM.
Chris Gonsalvez, Della Pohan, Sophia Huynh, Lydia Wang, Caleb Joseph, Katie Ng, Henry Ferrier, Ergan Norozi, Katherine Yi, Hannah Hisham.
For full details, visit the Vice-Chancellor’s Diversity and Inclusion Awards page.