RMIT is a proud and committed member of the SAGE Athena Swan Charter for gender equity, diversity and inclusion across the Australian higher education and research sector. RMIT is currently on the pathway to a Silver Award after attaining Bronze in 2020.
What is SAGE Athena Swan?
- An accreditation and awards program for gender equity, diversity and inclusion with a 20-year history of success across multiple countries.
- The only international recognised framework for gender equity, diversity and inclusion
- An evidence-based and data-driven approach.
- Trusted by leaders, practitioners, researchers and the community, and allows organisations to benchmark their work against an international standard.
- It’s not just about women but all genders and intersectional – it’s for everyone.
- All fields within the University are covered for an enterprise-wide scope. It’s not just STEMM.
For more information on SAGE Athena Swan head to the SAGE website.
Pathway to Silver
RMIT’s Athena Swan Bronze Action Plan (PDF 6.2 MB) awarded in February 2020 identifies key improvement areas for gender equality and intersectionality. It is a significant step and commitment to drive genuine change through rigorous data collection, analysis, practical steps, and non-negotiable time-frame. It keeps the University focussed and committed to drive a more inclusive and equitable workplace at RMIT.
RMIT’s Bronze Athena Swan action plan will run from 2019-2027 and focuses on seven key pillars:
- Leading Local Action – leading transformation to support female careers
- Building the Pipeline – inspiring and attracting future female talent
- Supporting fulfilling careers – nurturing female talent
- Engaging moments of transition – in-time and flexible support mechanisms
- Transforming Culture – an inclusive, respectful and compassionate workplace
- Supporting and encouraging our intersectional communities
- Strengthening Foundations – future-proofing Athena Swan through good governance
To achieve a Silver Award, RMIT will complete 5 cygnet awards as well as a Silver Award application by 2027.
RMIT is currently working on the next phase of the program, progressing to Silver via the attainment of intermediary Cygnet Awards. After receiving the SAGE Athena SWAN Bronze Award, we are required to attain five Cygnet Awards to be eligible to apply for the Silver Award. Each Cygnet Award demonstrates the progress the University has made against a specific key barrier identified in our Bronze Action Plan.
RMIT’s five Cygnet Award topics are:
- Recruitment of women and gender-diverse people into STEMM academic roles.
Awarded in 2022
Read the report - Participation and career fulfilment: Supporting our parents and carers
Awarded in 2023
Read the report - Supporting LGBTIQA+ Communities
Scheduled submission 2025 - Inclusivity, enabling accessibility and supporting people with a disability
Scheduled submission 2025 - Respectful Cultures and Behaviours
Scheduled submission 2025-2026
Members |
Role |
Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation and Vice-President |
Project Co-sponsor |
Professor Kay Latham Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Gender Equity, Research & Innovation Portfolio |
Project Owner, Chairperson and Academic Executive representative |
Professor Sherman Young DVC Education & Vice-President |
Project Co-sponsor and Education Portfolio representative |
Professor Matt Duckham Director, EIP Information In Society |
R&I Portfolio representative |
Nonna Milmeister Chief Data and Analytics Officer Finance & Governance |
Data & Analytics representative |
Mat Lewis Manager, Inclusion, Diversity, Equity & Access Capability, Inclusion and Leadership |
IDEA People representative |
Professor Joanne Tipper ADVC Academic, STEM College |
STEM College representative |
Professor Karin Verspoor Dean, School of Computing Technologies |
STEM Executive-Dean representative |
Professor Ron Wakefield Dean, School of Property Construction & Project Management & ADVC, International, Design and Social Context |
DSC representative |
Associate Professor Angel Zhong Associate Professor, Finance |
COBL representative |
Banita Bissoondoyal-Bheenick Director, Research Services and Programs |
COBL representative |
Konrad Peszyski Undergraduate Business Program Director, Learning & Teaching College of Business and Law |
COBL representative |
Mish Eastman DVC College of Vocational Education |
COVE Representative |
Robbie van Dijk Director Governance & Strategic Initiatives College of Vocational Education |
COVE Representative |
Bimali Rathnayake |
Student advocate |
Nicole Eaton Director, Campus Planning & Services |
Property & Procurement |
Distinguished Professor Charlie Xue ADVC International, STEM College |
Chair, Cultural Inclusion Working Party |
Lara Rafferty Associate Director Equity & Inclusion, Students’ Group |
Students’ Group Representative |
Tara Waller Director, Employee Experience and Capability |
People Representative |
Gaynor Witts Chief People Officer |
People Representative |
HR Excellence in Research
This initiative supports the HR Excellence in Research Award, which is recognised by the European Commission for institutions that make progress in aligning their human resources policies to the European Charter for Researchers and The Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers. The standards support researchers and includes general principles on the roles, responsibilities and entitlements of researchers, employers and funders, and a commitment to the advancement of research.
Contact us
To find out more or to get involved, contact Diana Labiris, Manager, Athena Swan: diana.labiris@rmit.edu.au.
