SAGE SYMPOSIUM 2016 Friday, June 24 AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL MARITIME MUSEUM, SYDNEY Be at the forefront of improving gender equity in science www.sciencegenderequity.org.au scienceinaustraliagenderequity SAGE IS A PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND THE AUSTRALIAN ACADEMY OF TECHNOLOGY AND ENGINEERING @scigenderequity SPONSORS Principal Sponsor Transform Sponsor Innovate Sponsors Discover Sponsors Venue Sponsor 2 Sage Symposium 2016 The inaugural SAGE Symposium highlights challenges, opportunities and solutions to enhance gender equity & diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine (STEMM) in support of the SAGE Pilot of Athena SWAN in Australia Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) is a program of activities designed to improve gender equity and diversity in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine (STEMM). Women comprise more than half of science PhD graduates and early career researchers, but just 17% of senior academics in Australian universities and research institutes. The loss of so many women scientists is a significant waste of expertise, talent and investment, and this impacts our nation’s scientific performance and productivity. Background In November 2014, the Australian Academy of Science (AAS) hosted the SAGE Forum, bringing together over 140 experts from around Australia who discussed areas of critical impact on gender equity in STEMM. The unanimous consensus was that concerted action is required immediately across the sector. The key recommendation of the Forum was to undertake the Australian Pilot of the Athena SWAN Charter. Athena SWAN is a renowned UK program providing an evaluation and accreditation framework for gender equity and gender diversity issues in STEMM. Athena SWAN has been operating in the UK for over a decade, with tremendous success in enhancing gender equity in STEMM and has recently been rolled out into other scientific disciplines. In September 2015, the Academy of Technology and Engineering (ATSE) joined the AAS as a partner in SAGE. The SAGE Pilot of the Athena SWAN Charter was officially launched at Parliament House on 16 September. Sage Symposium 2016 3 The SAGE pilot of Athena SWAN in Australia The SAGE Pilot of Athena SWAN involves 40 Australian Charter Members, including 30 universities, six medical research institutes and four government science organisations. The SAGE Pilot has adapted the UK processes for the Australian context, running training workshops on gender equity, and providing gender equity accreditation for universities, medical research centres and Government research organisations who participate in the SAGE Pilot. “Australian science can ill afford to lose a substantial fraction of half of our talent pool if we want to be at the international forefront of research.” PROFESSOR BRIAN SCHMIDT AC FAA FRS NOBEL LAUREATE, FOUNDING CO-CHAIR OF SAGE STEERING COMMITTEE Athena SWAN Charter The Athena SWAN Charter recognises excellence in employment practices that advance and promote the careers of women and gender minorities through its Awards system. Institutions join the Athena SWAN Charter with their executive leader signing up to the 10 Principles of the Charter. The Principles encourage institutions to ensure that women from diverse backgrounds as well as underrepresented groups are best positioned to reach their full potential in academic science. Athena SWAN Charter Members subsequently work towards an Athena SWAN Award. To this end, institutions participating in the SAGE Pilot of Athena SWAN are engaged in over two-years of activities to gather evidence and address gender equity and diversity issues within their organisation. They begin by appointing a Self-Assessment Team (SAT); a representative group of scientists, professional and support staff, and students who lead a systematic collection of data and analysis on gender equity and diversity outcomes, policies and programs. In consultation with executive leaders, staff and students, the SAT identifies gaps in institutional policies and practices and proposes a four-year Action Plan to address gender equity issues arising from this analysis and consultation. Institutions submit their findings in an application for a Bronze Institutional Award. 4 Sage Symposium 2016 “Diversity underlies innovation and without a diverse research sector Australia is missing out on great discoveries and scientific advances” PROFESSOR NALINI JOSHI FAA, ARC LAUREATE FELLOW, FOUNDING CO-CHAIR OF SAGE STEERING COMMITTEE Athena SWAN Bronze Institutional Awards Athena SWAN Charter Members participating in the SAGE Pilot are working towards the Bronze Institutional Award, which recognises that an institution has a solid foundation for eliminating gender bias and developing an inclusive culture that values all staff. Applications for Athena SWAN Awards are judged by a peer review panel of STEMM professionals, gender equity practitioners and other subject matter experts. Bronze Institutional Awards are valid for four years; during this time the institution works to meet its Action Plan. Once the Bronze Institutional Award is conferred, an institution is able to be considered for higher institutional Awards, as well as apply for Departmental Awards. Impact of Athena SWAN In 2014, an independent evaluation showed that the Athena SWAN Charter in the UK has helped institutions to advance and sustain progressive change in gender equity. This includes: 1. improved processes for women’s promotion and awards panels; 2. development of mentoring systems, networking and leadership training for women; 3. positive changes to maternity leave cover; 4. increased engagement of senior leadership and departments on gender equity. The SAGE Pilot of Athena SWAN seeks similar innovative changes to the gender landscape in STEMM. 5 Program June 2016 8:30AM–9:00AM REGISTRATION 9:00–9:05 AM Opening address Professor Andrew Holmes—President of the Academy of Science 9:05 AM–9:15 AM Welcome to Country Donna Ingram—Elder of the Redfern Aboriginal Community 9:15AM– 9:30AM SAGE Pilot Progress Professor Suzanne O’Reilly FAA on behalf of AAS 9:30AM–10:15AM Keynote Address: Champions of Change for STEMM Elizabeth Broderick—Founder, Male Champions of Change 10:15AM–10:45 AM MORNING TEA 10:45AM–11:30AM How SAGE will Transform Science and Innovation in Australia Dr Susan Pond—Adjunct Professor, Engineering and Information Technologies, The University of Sydney Dr Alan Finkel—Chief Scientist Catriona Jackson—Deputy Chief Executive, Universities Australia 11:30AM–12:30PM Transforming the Gender & Diversity Landscape: Lessons from the UK Athena SWAN Program David Ruebain—Chief Executive, Equality Challenge Unit 12:30PM–1:30PM LUNCH/netWORKING 1:30PM–2:15PM Not Just a “Women’s Problem”: Working With Men on Equity and Diversity Dr Mark Toner—Chair, ATSE Gender Equity Forum Professor Emma Johnston, Inaugural AAS Nancy Millis Medal Awardee, Pro Vice-Chancellor UNSW Professor Peter Koopman—Co-Chair, AAS Diversity Equity Reference Group 2:15PM–3:15PM Diversity Underlies Innovation: Intersectionality in STEMM Professor Jill Milroy—Executive Director of the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health, the University of Western Australia Dawn Hough—Director, Pride in Diversity Dr Melanie Thomson—Lecturer, Faculty of Health, Deakin University 3:15PM–3:45PM AFTERNOON TEA 3:45PM–4:30PM Inspiring Inclusive Institutions Dr Tim Soutphommasane—Race Discrimination Commissioner, Australian Human Rights Commission Professor Aidan Byrne—Chief Executive Officer, Australian Research Council Dr Saraid Billiards—Director, Research Grants, National Health & Medical Research Council 4:30PM–5:00PM Making Sector-wide Gender Equity Changes Ita Buttrose—Journalist; Patron of the Macular Disease Foundation; Emeritus Director, Arthritis Australia 5:00PM FORUM CLOSE Professor Mary O’Kane FTSE on behalf of ATSE SAGE SYMPOSIUM 2016 SYMPOSIUM SAGE 5:30–7:00PM ACADEMY CoCKtail PartY 6 Sage Symposium 2016 Keynote Speakers Elizabeth Broderick AO Elizabeth has brought together captains of industry, governments and Defence Force chiefs to address gender inequality in Australia and beyond. As Australia’s longest serving Sex Discrimination Commissioner (2007–2015), Elizabeth worked tirelessly to break down structural and social barriers faced by women and men, and to promote gender equality. A key advocate for Australia’s paid parental leave scheme, Elizabeth influenced changes to regulations to increase the numbers of women at decision-making level, and to elevate the voices of women in marginalised communities. She also established and convenes the globally recognised ‘Male Champions of Change’ strategy, enlisting a ‘who’s who’ of powerful male leaders to tackle workplace gender inequality. Her review into the treatment of women in the Australian Defence Force led to sweeping cultural reforms. She is a powerful and influential voice in the struggle for gender equality, enlisting both women and men as agents of change. Elizabeth is Special Advisor to the Executive Director of UN Women on Private Sector Engagement, and Co-Chair of UN Global Compact’s Women’s Empowerment Principles Leadership Group. She is a member of the Australian Defence Force Gender Equality Board, the Australian Rugby Union Board, and formerly a member of the World Bank Gender Advisory Council. She is Senior Advisor to the Australian Federal Police Commissioner on cultural change. In 2016 Elizabeth was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia and