Goal 5:
Gender Equality
Women's Mentoring Schemes
At the University of Newcastle, we are committed to empowering women through structured and supportive mentoring programs that foster academic, professional, and personal growth. We offer a range of mentoring initiatives that engage female staff and students across multiple disciplines, with an estimated 10% or more of our female student cohort participating in these programs.
One of our flagship initiatives is HunterWiSE (Hunter Women in STEM and Entrepreneurship), which provides mentoring and outreach for female high school and university students in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields. The program connects students with academic and industry mentors to encourage participation, confidence, and career readiness in traditionally underrepresented fields. Highlights of 2024's HunterWiSE programs are the Great Divide: Understanding and Addressing the Gender Pay Gap, and the International Women in Engineering Day.
Beyond STEM, we support a variety of formal and informal mentoring opportunities across our Colleges and Schools. These include peer mentoring, academic support networks, leadership programs, and discipline-specific mentoring schemes aimed at helping women navigate their studies and transition successfully into the workforce.
We are also proud to offer dedicated entrepreneurial support through our Integrated Innovation Network (I2N). The I2N Female Founders Program is designed to accelerate the success of women-led startups and ventures. It provides mentoring, coaching, networking opportunities, and tailored workshops that equip female entrepreneurs with the skills, confidence, and connections to grow their businesses and lead in the innovation space.
In addition, our broader University initiatives—including student leadership programs, equity and diversity support services, and career readiness mentoring—ensure that women at all stages of their journies have access to meaningful mentorship and support.
These programs reflect our ongoing commitment to gender equity, leadership development, and inclusive excellence, ensuring that female students have the opportunity to thrive in their chosen fields.
FLIP is flipping the narrative for Female Founders
Over 9 weeks, you'll gain hands-on experience and a support system designed to navigate the unique challenges women face in business. The program's blended structure of fixed workshop days and flexible self-paced learning is designed for women juggling multiple responsibilities, maximising accessibility and impact.
Is FLIP right for me?
- You are based in the Hunter or Central Coast regions
- You identify as a woman and are over 18 years of age
- You have an idea for an innovative product or service, or you're an aspiring leader wanting to build your skills to join a scalable business
- Your business idea has received less than $500,000 in external investment
- You're quietly ambitious, a natural problem-solver, but might be looking for the confidence and community to take the next step
- You can commit to the 9-week program, including weekly workshops, coaching sessions and self-paced activities
- You're eager to learn, open to feedback, and ready to connect with a powerful community of female leaders and founders
Note: agencies and consultancies are not eligible for this program
No university affiliation required - we welcome all eligible founders and problem solvers from our regions!
HunterWiSE inspires the next generation in STEM
On Tuesday 21 October, more than 650 students, teachers, parents, community, industry and University colleagues gathered at the University of Newcastle's Great Hall to celebrate the next generation of women in STEM.
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The Great Divide: Understanding and Addressing the Gender Pay Gap
In February 2024, the Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) published, for the first time, the gender pay gaps of almost 5,000 employers. At a recent event, members of the HunterWiSE Network explored the factors that contribute to the gender pay gap, and actions that are being taken to close the divide.
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Solutions to Solve the STEM Teacher Shortage
‘Solving the STEM Teacher Shortage’ - the recent HunterWiSE event hosted in collaboration with I2N - was an opportunity for current and prospective teachers, as well as people with an interest in the future of STEM education, to come together to share ideas and discuss a pressing issue.
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HunterWiSE students take innovative idea to supermarket giant
A team of high school students have received further recognition for their innovative HunterWiSE project, aimed at improving accessibility in supermarket self-checkout systems.
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International Women in Engineering Day
HunterWiSE and Ampcontrol present International Women in Engineering Day event
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Empowering women in STEM: HunterWiSE and Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group launch new scholarship initiative
Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) has proudly supported HunterWiSE since 2019. This year, NCIG will strengthen its collaboration with HunterWiSE to fund new scholarships for female students in their second or subsequent year of a degree in science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) at the University of Newcastle.
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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.