Committee—Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee

The Academy’s Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee (DIACOM) was established in 2024 with the aim of assisting the Academy in ensuring the Academy uses its leadership and convening power, in partnership with others, to increase diversity to support, create and develop a more inclusive STEM sector.

The primary objective of the Committee is to act as an agent of and as an advisory body to the Academy’s Executive Committee (EXCOM) in relation to diversity and inclusion (D&I) strategy, policy, activities and related matters at the Academy. DIACOM operates in accordance with a Charter and Terms of Reference.

Charter and Terms of Reference

Committee members

Professor Alan Andersen FAA

Organisation: Australian Academy of Science, Charles Darwin University
Committee position: Chairperson, Fellow

Dr Janin Bredehoeft

Organisation: Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE)
Committee position: SAGE CEO, External member

Dr Jane O’Leary

Organisation: Diversity Council of Australia
Committee position: Research Director, External member

Professor Nalini Joshi AO FAA

Organisation: University of Sydney
Committee position: Fellows’ representative

Dr Jordan Pitt

Organisation: University of Sydney
Committee position: Early- and mid-career (EMCR) representative

Dr Maithili Sashindranath

Organisation: Monash University
Committee position: EMCR representative

Professor Chennupati Jagadish AC PresAA FREng FTSE

Organisation: Australian Academy of Science, Australian National University
Committee position: President, ex-officio

Ms Melissa Abberton

Organisation: Australian Academy of Science
Committee position: Staff, Chief Operating Officer

Ms Shauna McKay

Organisation: Australian Academy of Science
Committee position: Staff, Director People and Culture