The Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Forum is calling for scientific organisations to join its pilot program to improve gender equity in Australian science.
The Forum, an Academy initiative established last year, is seeking universities and research bodies to pilot a gender equity program currently operating in the UK called the Athena Swan Charter.
In the UK, the Athena Swan charter requires participating universities and research institutions to develop and implement an action plan to address their specific gender challenges. Some UK research funding bodies now tie grant funding to participation in such programs.
The Australian pilot of Athena Swan will run for two years, with up to 20 universities, medical research institutes and publicly-funded research agencies being selected to participate.
Currently in Australia only 17% of senior level academic positions in science are held by women.
Applications for the Australian pilot close on Monday 20 July 2015.
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