ECU achieves world-recognised Athena Swan Silver Award for commitment to gender equality diversity and inclusion

First published by Edith Cowan University

Edith Cowan University (ECU) is one of two institutions in the southern hemisphere to be awarded the prestigious Athena Swan Silver Award, administered by Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE).

The highly coveted Award recognises organisational maturity and leadership in gender equity, diversity, and inclusion.

ECU's Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Regional Futures) and Athena Swan Lead, Professor Cobie Rudd, who has led the charge since 2015, said the milestone achievement illustrates the University’s outstanding commitment to gender equality right across the board.

"Being awarded an Athena Swan Silver Award is an enormous achievement for ECU as it recognises the passion and perseverance of our staff in their commitment to gender equality and inclusivity," Professor Rudd said.

Professor Cobie Rudd has led advocacy for greater gender diversity since 2015.

"We aim to lead by example as a higher learning institution, that is breaking cultural and structural barriers."

"ECU has been steadfast in encapsulating leadership and accountability, honesty and self-reflection, communication and engagement in our Athena Swan work, which is now core business."

The SAGE Athena Swan program is the only internationally recognised accreditation scheme of its kind.

Five SAGE Cygnet Awards were required to be eligible to submit a Silver Award application. ECU was awarded the first Cygnet in Australia in August 2022 and went on to achieve all five Awards by December 2023.

"Our endeavours have led to profound organisational change," Professor Rudd said.

"Since we commenced this journey nine years ago, we have seen the benefits this process can bring to the culture of our institution and particularly to the opportunities for those experiencing disparities. To that end, ECU will continue to reveal our weaknesses, reflect, and act where needed. The Silver Award is a further incentive that spurs us on."

"This is about making change with tangible measures, and we are incredibly proud to be recognised for our leadership and evidence-based approaches in breaking down the barriers to gender equality in our workplace and student community," she added.

Commitment to diversity in science

The SAGE Athena Swan accreditation framework is based on ten key principles which commit to creating gender inclusive workplaces. Originating in the UK, there are currently 45 participants in Australia including universities, medical research institutes and publicly funded research organisations.

ECU has been recognised by SAGE for implementing a range of measures, including:

• Promoting equitable access to flexible working arrangements
• Improving retention and promotion of women in STEMM careers
• Greater gender balance in professorial research roles at ECU
• Reducing the gender disparity in the School of Engineering
• Improving the number of women from diverse backgrounds attaining senior levels in the School of Nursing and Midwifery.

"We can demonstrate sustained and consistent communication and engagement with staff since 2015, characterised by the wealth of both quantitative and qualitative data; our staff have always given us the road map to fix obstacles and barriers," Professor Rudd said.

"ECU remains fully committed to Athena Swan, and since 2015, we have seen the benefits this process can bring to the culture of our institution and particularly to the opportunities for those experiencing disparities. To that end, ECU will continue to reveal our weaknesses, reflect, and act where needed. We will also continue to be transparent in sharing our position with our staff, students and the sector as our Athena Swan journey carries on."

Dr Masoumeh Zargar is an Athena Swan Champion and the Co-Chair of the ECU Early and Mid-Career Researchers Network, saying from the moment she commenced at ECU, Athena Swan has been a beacon for change. ECU's School for Engineering has been focussed on gender equality and supporting women in STEM.

"Since joining ECU, I've been strongly supported with establishment grants from the School of Engineering, as well as additional research support from the University itself," Dr Zargar said.

ECU's Paramedic, Lecturer and PhD student Alecka Miles said; "The Athena Swan scholarship enabled me to present at an international conference as a working mum with young kids by enabling me travel with them. It was a turning point in my academic journey that increased my confidence as an early career researcher and showed me support that I never dreamed of as a mum."

ECU School of Science Professor Kathryn McMahon also said; "I am proud of the actions ECU has taken to address gender inequities in STEMM. It is fantastic to be part of the change in science leadership."

Milestone achievement

SAGE CEO Dr Janin Bredehoeft has congratulated ECU on this milestone achievement.

"This Award celebrates the success with which ECU has truly embedded gender equity, diversity and inclusion into strategic and operational functions, right across their institution. This is no mean feat - it has taken almost a decade of committed, iterative work," Dr Bredehoeft said.

"By constantly improving codesign processes, ECU has built diverse staff engagement into all aspects of decision-making. A new promotion framework is another highlight of their work, which avoids supporting individual careers and instead breaks down the cultural, structural and procedural barriers that make progression inequitable.

"Most of all, ECU has engaged honestly with what they have achieved and learned through the SAGE framework. This accountability is the basis for their ongoing progress and a critical component of transformative change," she added.

ECU Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Regional Futures) Professor Cobie Rudd said the milestone achievement is a testament to ECU's sustained leadership and commitment to diverse and inclusive workplaces for all.