The University of Newcastle has today been awarded a prestigious Employer of Choice for Women citation for 2012.
The citation is an acknowledgement by the Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) that the university supports women to thrive in their careers.
Vice-Chancellor, Professor Caroline McMillen, said the university was measured against a set of stringent criteria to assess its efforts in creating a fair workplace and achieving genuine results for women.
“Today’s announcement identifies the university’s world-class track record in equity and our significant and successful efforts in implementing equity and diversity initiatives.
“In recent years we have focused particularly on areas including pay equity, career progression and flexible working arrangements in line with our commitment to a positive staff experience.
“I am delighted and proud to lead an organisation at the forefront of this critically important area.”
Women make up around 58 per cent of the university’s workforce, higher than the Australian university sector average of 55 per cent. Women hold more than one-third of senior management roles and 44 per cent of academic staff are female. More than 91 per cent of female academics at Associate Professor level hold a doctoral qualification, well above the sector average of 84 per cent.
The University’s innovative programs for women include:
* Special Studies program - professional development opportunities to support academic staff to complete a higher degree, research work, improve teaching and learning, and/or to undertake leadership development activities
* Academic Women in Leadership (AWiL) program - involves mentoring, executive coaching, and guest speakers for female academic staff
* Leadership Journey for Women (LJW) program – complements the AWiL program by providing the same experience for female professional staff and early career academics
* Career Enhancement Fellowship program - provides support for academic staff to spend 12 months to pursue activities that will increase the likelihood of promotion
* Equity Research Fellowship program - offers academic staff time and resources to progress their research or Research Higher Degree (research masters or doctoral degree)
* Women@UoN - supports a professional training and development program for all female staff of the university comprising workshops and guest speakers.
“While today’s citation is a significant achievement for the university, we will continue to look at ways to improve the careers of all our staff,” Professor McMillen said.
The University of Newcastle is one of 18 universities named an Employer of Choice for Women this year and one of only two Hunter-based organistions.
For information: Katie Porritt on 02 4921 5120 or 0418 445 888.
