Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Award Finalists
Recognises and celebrates an individual or team who have made an outstanding contribution to supporting and promoting equity and diversity and fostering inclusion within The University of Newcastle.
Improving Inclusivity in the Classroom
Dr Annika Herb, Cleo Moore, and Mikahlia Holmes
Recognising an opportunity to enhance inclusive practice in the classroom, staff from the Education Development and Learning Design teams in Learning Design and Teaching Innovation (LDTI) collaborated to create ‘Improving Inclusivity in the Classroom’ – an online module for staff. The module supports staff to adopt inclusive pedagogies across all delivery modes, enhancing belonging and learning outcomes for students, particularly those within the University’s priority groups.
STEM Sparks: Igniting Girl's Futures in the Built Environment
Dr Jessica Siva, Cameron Beard, Ethan Smith, Dr Helen Giggins, Beck Boyle, and Dr Sittimont Kanjanabootra
STEM Sparks, a National Science Week initiative, is helping to advance gender equity by making built environment careers visible and accessible to girls and regional families. Delivered at Open Day with more than 10 industry partners, including Women in Building and Associated Services, and the National Association of Women in Construction, the initiative engaged dozens of families through hands-on activities. Its impact extends across NSW through self-contained School Packs – digital resources and physical books – providing teachers everything needed to inspire young people to explore STEM futures.
The Women’s Research Engineers Network (WREN)
Dr Marcella Papini, Dr Yue Cao, and Dr Shiva Pedram
The Women’s Research Engineers Network (WREN) empowers women, who are early-career academics in engineering, through career development, international collaboration, and role modelling. Run by culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) staff and Higher Degree by Research (HDR) volunteers, WREN has grown into a global initiative with four regional subcommittees, 3,499 members, and more than 20 impactful events. Open to all, WREN fosters inclusion, supports diverse genders and identities, and advances the UN Sustainable Development Goals, driving cultural change across the University of Newcastle and beyond.
The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.