Academy gender equity group holds first meeting

Representatives of the science sector have met at the Australian Academy of Science to address issues of gender inequity in Australian science.

The informal roundtable met for the first time in Canberra to discuss ways in which Australian research institutions can better promote gender equity policies.

Known as the Academy’s Science Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) forum, the group is discussing developing an Australian version of the UK Athena SWAN Charter.

The UK charter requires participant research organisations to identify gender issues and helps them to create tailored action plans. Some UK research funders have now mandated the charter's adoption as a condition of funding.

This initial meeting will shape a larger workshop in November involving representatives from the UK Equality Challenge Unit, responsible for managing the Athena SWAN Charter.

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