The University of Sydney now has 31 percent female professors, up from 28 percent, just over a year into a formal program designed to increase the number of women in senior positions.聽
The rise reflects a significant increase in the rate of progress compared to growth of one percent per year between 2010 and 2015.
Implemented last year, the (WCALS) defines the University鈥檚 commitment to improving women鈥檚 representation in leadership roles and the various actions taken to achieve this.
The University鈥檚 research shows that at 54 percent, there are currently slightly more female academics than male at Level A, in entry level academic roles. However, women make up 38 percent of staff at the more senior Level D and 31 percent at the most senior Level E.
The University has announced a target of 45 percent women at Level D and 40 percent at Level E by 2020.
鈥淲e鈥檝e been talking about gender equality for a long time, but these results demonstrate the impact of action over words,鈥 the Vice-Chancellor, and , Michael Spence said.
With the programs of work already underway to improve gender balance, we are on track to meet our commitment to increasing the numbers of women in senior academic positions.
鈥淚 am so grateful that the University has embraced the goal of gender equality and is working with gusto to improve the University鈥檚 culture,鈥 he added.
A fundamental part of the University鈥檚 recently announced聽, WCALS includes a suite of initiatives 鈥 from diversity and inclusion training for senior leaders to equip them with the knowledge and tools necessary for driving cultural change, events such as Women At Sydney, workshops to help female staff prepare for promotion opportunities, a mentoring program and more.
Faculties and professional service units have also been given the task of developing action plans to address gender balance within local areas. Meeting these targets is now a key performance indicator for leaders and managers.聽
The University鈥檚 new flagship researcher development program, the , is another key initiative of the Strategic Plan. These fellowships are intended to help develop our researchers and create a cohort of future research leaders, and at least 50 percent of participants across all cohorts will be female.
The University is also taking part in the , and is currently seeking staff from all areas of the University to join the SAGE Self Assessment Team (SAT) that will drive the project across campus.
Professor Anna Reid
The University celebrated several firsts this year, supporting its intention to achieve greater gender balance. 鈥 in the Faculty of Agriculture and the Environment and in the Faculty of Dentistry. also joined the University as the School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering鈥檚 first female Head of School.
Last week, the University announced the .
And on Monday, , receiving an Officer (AO) in the General Division of the Order of Australia: , Chair of the in the Business School and Professor of Gender and Employment Relations, and , a Georgina Sweet Australian Laureate Fellow and Chair of Applied Mathematics.
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