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.
Athena Swan is an accreditation and awards program for with a 20-year history of success across multiple countries. It’s administered in Australia by an organisation called SAGE. The only internationally recognised framework for gender equity, diversity and inclusion in universities.
For more information about Athena Swan, head to the SAGE website.
RMIT is 'Bronze' accredited
RMIT was awarded Athena Swan Bronze accreditation in February 2020 (valid for seven years). RMIT’s Athena Swan Bronze Action Plan (PDF 6.2 MB) identifies key areas for improvement to achieve intersectional gender equality. It is a significant commitment to drive change through rigorous data collection, analysis and practical steps.
RMIT has since achieved all five 'Cygnet Awards' required to progress to Silver accreditation.
Each Cygnet Award demonstrates the progress the University has made against a specific key barrier – together, they provide a strong foundation for RMIT’s Silver Award submission.
Access RMIT’s five Cygnet Award applications, below.
- Recruiting women and gender-diverse staff in STEMM fields (PDF 13 MB) (awarded in 2022)
- Barriers to participation and career fulfilment for parents and carers (PDF 10 MB) (awarded in 2023)
- Supporting LGBTIQA+ inclusion (PDF 5 MB) (awarded in 2025)
- Enabling accessibility: supporting people with disability and neurodivergence (PDF 7 MB) (awarded in 2026)
- Respectful cultures and behaviours (PDF 2 MB) (awarded in 2026)
Next step: Silver accreditation
RMIT has submitted its application for Silver accreditation. Silver accreditation recognises a University’s sustained progress and measurable impact in advancing gender equity, diversity and inclusion, while providing an opportunity to reflect on progress made and set clear priorities to address the goals and challenges ahead.
Governance
The Athena Swan Steering Group governs, oversees and champions the implementation of RMIT’s Athena Swan initiatives. It is led by Professor Kay Latham, Associate Deputy Vice Chancellor, Gender Equity, and Co-sponsored by Distinguished Professor Calum Drummond, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Research and Innovation and Vice-President, and Professor Sherman Young, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Education and Vice-President.
HR Excellence in Research
Athena Swan supports the HR Excellence in Research Award, which is awarded 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 include 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 Athena Swan Manager Diana Labiris: diana.labiris@rmit.edu.au
